J. Stanley from N. Gre ‘iouse -2- tober 22, 1976 The only problem which we encountered at Rongelap was outboard engine failure (starting problem) on open water during one of our trips to the northern islands. Vic and I encountered a similar problem at Rongelap py gut in 1974, I would strongly suggest that the present 55 hp engine on the tan Boston Whaler be replaced with two smaller engines; or, as a minimum, that ro # . provisions be made to install one of the small 4 hp engines on the transom aga be for use in such emergencies. It would also be extremely helpful if we . could obtain more reliable radio communication facilities between the Liktanur and the small boat or shore parties 20 to 30 miles away. The existing citizen's band transceivers are marginally useful at best, and eo there is often an interference problem from Japanese fishing fleets in the area, Certainly, the highpoint of our stay at Rongelap was a village meeting on our last day (September 29) where we utilized the extraordinary linguistic skills of local resident Jerry Knight to conduct a leeture-demonstration on the environmental survey efforts, to explain radiological concepts and standards, and to provide apparently meaningful answers to bothersome questions and "pet worries" which have concerned many of the Rongelapese for years. I feel that Jerry is an extremely valuable resource as a trusted member of the Rongelap community with enough basic technical understanding to convey the import of ERDA programs to his fellow islanders, and also with enough of an understanding of Marshallese culture to help avoid the "bunglings" and "ugly-Americanisms" of the past. We arrived at Bikini on September 30 with more than enough time to conduct our business and depart on the C-54 charter for our return to Kwajalein. While at Bikini, we collected additional samples of “house dust" and sediment from the domestic water catchments for our Pu resuspension studies. laid the ground work for a new air monitoring program, We also Our biggest disappoint- ment was the loss of the new Peace corps volunteer who had been transferred (against his wishes, we understand) because of the Peace corps supervisor's misunderstanding of the significance of the recent plutonium bioassay findings at Bikini. He would have been a valuable assistant in maintaining the air sampling equipment which we expect to install at Bikini by next Spring. We returned to Kwajalein on October 2 and arranged for the transshipment of our gear at some later date. All of our environmental samples were hand carried on MAC for later shipment to UW and BNL by H& N, Bill Scott and Pete Heotis coordinated the plutonium bioassay urine sample collections which continued at Ebeye after we left. The only other problem that I had concerns reservations about the new captain on the LCU. I discussed them with Kris and Jim at PASO, but I would prefer not to go on record with the details here. If you feel that I can provide information beyond my discussions at PASO, please give me a call, / c -