-~4~ rigged over this area but it was open on all sides. Since we were operating with constant trade winds varying from 10 to 30 knots, any rain was driven horizontally across this deck rendering the area virtually unusable during the frequent showers we encountered. During our initial discussions in San Diego, I emphasized the fact that on large medical surveys there was the distinct possibility that we would have at least 18 scientific personnel aboard and would, in addition, probably pick up one or two medical evacuations at a minimum, for a total of 20 required berthing areas. Somehow during the contract negotiations, this figure was reduced to twelve and I was never notified of this change. During the initial discussions plans for a waiting bench to be installed in the forecastle were included for the use of patients waiting to be x-rayed. installed. This bench was never My original plans for the berthing area included provisions for showering and shaving for the medical party apart from the patient examination area. These plans again were altered (please see ship Plans) and the final arrangement was for our entire medical party of 14 to use one head, one shower and one shaving mirror. This presented serious problems when everyone arose at the same time and attempted to get ready for the days examinations. \\ ship's brochure (enclosure 1) stated a two ton freezer capacity. The Apparently this capacity was sacrificed in the conversion of holds 1 and 2, leaving us with inadequate cold storage space and much of the fresh fruit that we were carrying to the outer islands as gifts for the study group rotted in transit. 2. Maritime Problems/ Ships Safety: Throughout the entire cruise, no organized safety drill or instructions were given by the ship to the medical party. We were not informed as to where the life vests were stored nor how to use the life rafts (many of the medical team were weak- or non-swimmers). There were no fire extinguishers in the medical berthing area. JI} 124 Egress