The very high costs of owning fishery research vessels make it especially desirable to ensure that value is obtained for the money spent, in terms of sea time achieved and information produced. The authorities who own and manage such vessels face a number of peculiar problems in their design, procurement and operation which may not be easily solved by applying normal administrative principles and procedures. Factors affecting vessel availability and utilization, such as crew incentives and financial control of normal maintenance, are discussed, together with safety, insurance, legal matters, sale of catches and other methods open to the fisheries authorities for acquiring information and experience that do not involve the ownership of a specialized research vessel.