AOE 7S Departmentof Energy Washington, D.C. 20545 i mee Ae re ree. January 22, 1980 The Honorable Adrian P. Winkel High Commissioner Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 Dear Mr. Winkel: ~~ wien This is to inform you that the visit to Rongelap and Utirik which normally is scheduled in the January-February time frame by the staff of the Brookhaven National Laboratory Medical Department, in conjunction with physicians from hospitals and academic institutions around the United States, will, of necessity, have to be deferred. You may be aware that the Department of Energy, through Holmes and Narver, Inc., contracted with U.S. Oceanography for the use of the Liktanur II to be used in support of all of the Department's activities in the Marshall Islands. Initially, the U.S. Coast Guard classified this vessel as an oceanographic research vessel based upon the purposes for which the vessel would be used. More recently, however, the Coast Guard has reexamined this situation and has reversed its earlier decision regarding the Liktanur II's classification category. In the opinion of the Coast Guard, several of the activities which the Liktanur II supports, including the medical visits, do not come within the definition of an oceanographic research vessel. Consequently, we are precluded from using the vessel, at present, for other than marine studies. We are attempting to resolve this difficulty in which this situation places us. Legal counsel is exploring the possible ap- proaches to the Coast Guard, and inquiries are being made regarding the availability and suitability of U.S. Navy vessels and other possible vessels available for charter. Furthermore, the Coast Guard may consider requests for the Liktanur II's usage on a case- by-case basis. Because of the Coast Guard decision and the uncertainties surrounding future use of the vessel, the Brookhaven Medical Depart- ment was compelled to inform the participating physicians that the