and accreditation (words frequently attached to computational methods) are the next focus area.

The initial development of computational methods, or the evaluation in the towing tank of a physical model, is viewed with much greater relish by most researchers than the seemingly mundane task of validation. Yet such a task is with merit, requiring the best and the brightest of researchers, and is crucial to the successful implementation of computational ship hydrodynamics in the design environment. I can see the day, not too distant, that towing tank measurements and computational investigations occur simultaneously as the common database is filled and interrogated to achieve the designs for high-performance ships. Such a bold step is a major expense for any one nation to undertake. For this reason, and among other reasons in other fields, I have established the Naval International Cooperative Opportunities in Science and Technology Program (NICOP) under Dr. Craig Dorman, chief scientist and technical director of ONR Europe, who is attending this symposium.

This new program is designed to broaden, institutionalize, and improve coordination of ONR's international efforts, and to improve the Navy 's ability to access international science and technology opportunities in priority areas. NICOP provides for face-to-face exchange of technical expertise and perspectives between U.S. and international participants. The intent is to establish long-term collaborative relationships that match strength to strength and interest to interest. My staff, including the program officers leading the research efforts sponsored by ONR, agree with me that this program deserves special emphasis. I encourage all of you to consider, as you savor the international exchange of this symposium, an idea for international cooperation, and to present it to ONR as a candidate for NICOP.

Seventy-two papers from 18 countries will be presented and discussed at this symposium. These papers were selected from approximately 150 submitted papers, almost all of which were of sufficient quality to have been presented in this symposium. You can expect high-quality, state-of-the-art presentations. You are invited to vigorously participate in the paper discussions. Have a good meeting!