-6Marshallese members of the medical team were asked to serve unofficially as guides when entering the pass at Rongelap and Utirik. I was unaware of this request. This is not their function and they were placed in a difficult position because of this request. navigator. The pass at Utirik is difficult for an experienced Marshallese We approached that pass in the early afternoon with good visibility, about a 2' sea, and just before high tide. As the ship approached the reef we noted a red fiberglass boat which I recognized as belonging to the island of Utirik approaching across the atoll. The boat was also spotted by Mr. Otterman who was conning the ship and by the navigator who was on the roof of the pilot house. The small Marshallese boat could have closed with the ship within 20 to 30 minutes if we had held our position outside the atoll. was made to proceed without adequate pilotage. The ship missed the Utirik pass, passing over the reef approximately 200 yards south. the ship went through the pass. However, the decision Mr. Otterman/claims that I can provide at least five affidavits from people who have been in and out of that pass repeatedly that we were well south of the pass and passed over the reef. Luckily, the ship draws only about 8' of water and with an exceptionally high tide we were able to get over the reef without encountering any obstructions. This set of circumstances is fortuitous and, in light of the ready availability of a knowledgeable Utirik pilot, showed “4 very poor maritime judgment. After we crossed the reef, the ship dropped anchor and the Marshallese boat tied up astern. Five Marshallese were in the boat. They were not invited aboard - a common courtesy on any ship. was asked aboard to serve as pilot across the atoll. Finally, one man I later found out that the man at the tiller of the Marshallese boat was the new magistrate of the island. I found this a breach of common courtesy and very embarrassing to the medical survey.