Coast Guard: Progress in the Marine Safety Network, but Many Uncertainties Remain
RCED-92-206
Published: Aug 28, 1992. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Coast Guard's efforts to develop a new information system, the Marine Safety Network (MSN), focusing on factors which may affect the system's cost and implementation schedule and steps taken to meet system users' information needs and improve program management.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | To help provide Congress with adequate information for effectively overseeing MSN, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to provide Congress with specific information on the MSN development and implementation. This information should include the extent to which MSN is overcoming past Marine Safety Information System problems and meeting users' information needs as well as the extent of known and potential cost increases and schedule delays. To the extent that this information is not fully presented in future quarterly reports on major acquisitions, the Coast Guard should provide the information by other means. |
The Coast Guard has taken and promised actions that satisfy the recommendation. According to the Coast Guard, it has fully briefed congressional staff members on the status of the Marine Safety Network. Also, it is committed to keeping Congress fully informed on the project's status throughout the acquisition process through periodic reports and briefings.
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Software verification and validationComputer languagesConsultantsInformation resources managementInformation systemsManagement information systemsMarine safetyProgramming languagesSystems designSoftware