aconsistent, high-quality contribution totheinternational hydroqraphic effort andtothesubseauent pUblication ofcharts, booksandother material~ 163.Inthepasttwodecades, thetaskofsurveyhasbecomeincreasinqly specialized withthedevelopment ofdeep-divinq submarines, deep-draught tankers andthespecial needsoftheoffshore industry. Routing throuqh confined watersis anormal procedure todaytoincrease thesafetyofnavigation andit,too,often requires special planning andcharting bythehydroqraphic offices ofco-operating countries. I...A/40/535 English Page49 164.Inaddition tothehydrographic activities ofStates andinternational organizations, aconsiderable effortisconcentrated onoceanographic survey. Many States, withtheSoviet UnionandtheUnitedStatesproviding themajorefforts, carryoutsurveys oftheoceans, covering thetotalrangeofscientific research of theseaandthesea-bed. Itisclearthatthesesurveys haveconsiderable economic, military andenvironmental significance andsoformanycountries the national interest inthemisunderstandably high.Inmanycountries thetasksare giventospecial branches ofnavies wbichplanandco-ordinate activities nationally andinternationally andoftenoperate thesurveyvessels involved. 165.Theseriousness oftheworld-wide oceanpollution problem datesfromthetime whenrapiddevelopment ofindustry, agriculture andshipping cameintoconflict withtheintensifying useoftherichesoftheoceans, asdescribed inchapterI. Overthepast30yearsanumberofinternational conventions havebeenadopted in efforts tocontrol pollution, andtheUnitedNations hasbeenactiveinthese multilateral efforts. TheConvention ontheLawoftheSeaprOVides a comprehensive framework ofrulescovering allsources ofmarinepollution (see partXIIoftheConvention). 166.Manynational systems ofpollution control involve theresources ofnavies. Whether bycarrying outsurveillance patrols, reporting culprits, orescorting them toanchorages forfurther investigation whenpollution accidents occur,naval forceScanassistinmanydifferent ways. Atypical example waswhenminesweepers withhigh-definition sonarequipment searched forandfounddrumsofavery dangerous toxicsUbstance onthebottomofthesea.Earlier thedrumshadbeen lostoverboard fromamerchant shipinheavyweather. Similarly, special teams trained toretrieve explosive ordnance fromtheseabottom haveprovedtobe necessary, especially inareasshallow enoughforfishing, exploration and exploitation. 167.Another aspectofpollution control sometimes appropriate fornavalvesselS andaircraft isthepeaceful surveillance ofmaritime commercial traffic inbUSy areas. Byencouraging compliance withrulesofnavigation andsafeUSeoftraffic separation lanes,therisksofcollisions whichmightthenleadtopollution canbe reduced. 168.Withtheinttoduction ofoffshore production platforms foroilandgas,States havehadtoconsider theconsequences ofaccidents ontheseplatforms. Thetwo mainelements, theimportance ofwhichhasbeenrecognized intheConvention onthe LawoftheSea,aresafetyandtherescueofhumanlivesandcontrol ofthe pollution reSUlting fromthistypeofaccident. NaVieswithfixed-wing aircraft andhelicopters, proper command andcontrol arrangements andcommunication facilities areobvious choices forthesekindsofoperations aswellasotherkinds ofassistance andpoliceoperations. Withtheirwell-tried liaison capacity with national andinternational authorities, andtheircapabilities forquickand effective action, navalreSources areoftenthebestfittedtotakeeffective emergency actionwhichcanthenbesupplemented, atalaterstage, byoutside assistance fromappropriate experts. I...A/40/535 English Page50 169.Thecombination oforganizational expertise, fire-fighting capabilities, technical andmedical skillsandgeneral capabilities enables navalforcesto rendervaluable assistance attimesofdisaster atseaorashoreincoastal areas. Insuchincidents andeventsasmercantile collisions orbreakdowns, rescue operations, earthquakes orhurricanes, navalshipshavebeenreadysources of emergency assistance andcivilsupport. Theycanalsobringsupplies ofessential commodities tostricken areas. Suchoperations ofteninvolve shipsofseveral nations andcloseco-ordination withgovernmental authorities andinternational organizations. 170.Insum,itcanbestatedthatnavalforcesareeminently suitedformany
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the role of naval forces in various aspects of international cooperation, including hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, pollution control, search and rescue operations, and humanitarian aid. The focus is on the naval forces' capabilities and contributions to these efforts, rather than specific economic or environmental policies.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief