As one famous oceanographer said " An expedition needs an idea, scientists who are interested in it, a ship capable of work and money. Bringing them together takes a lot of talking, adjustment, writing, modification, time flexibility, and work". This section deals with the recruitment training and deployment of manpower

A) RECRUITMENT

At the inital stages during 1980-81 there were only nine experts working on the project. The first polymetallic nodule cruise was undertaken by this small group with the assistance from other disciplines like biology, chemistry and physical oceanography. with the acceleration of the project, the Institute augmented the manpower for exploration. This included creation of new posts in scientific , technical and admistrative categories and filling up of the vacant posts.

During 1982-83 the major thrust of the programme was for surveys to demarcate the prime area for polymetallic nodules in the Central India n Ocean. The exploration was planned to be carried out by " R.V.Gaveshani" along with a chartered vessel, which meant that additional manpower was necessary to carry out surveys simultaneously by two ships. The C.S.I.R with the assistance of D.O.D in 1982 created new posts of 50 scientists and 50 technicians in various disciplines of oceanography

B) TRAINING

These 50 scientists and 50 technicians underwent rigorous inhouse theoritical and practical training for six months which included participation onboard the vessel.

During the exploration programme sophisticated instruments arrived for surveys. Amoung the new equipment purchased were the Raytheon echosounder, Magnavox MARYSAT communication system, satellite navigation system, ATNAV system, boomerang cameras and rock core drill. These equipment required trained personnel for their proper handling and use . The Institute therefor decided to train the existing staff abroad in the operation and maintenance of these new equipment.

The training abroad was broadly divided into three types viz,

• training for a specific equipment
• training by participation in foreign research vessels and
• training by collaboration with foreign countries.

Twenty seven scientists and technicians have been trained abroad and many more will be trained further with the acquisition of new equipment.