The report summarizes the results of a field survey of twenty U.S. coastal cities to appraise the national status of oceanic disposal of solid wastes and industrial sludges from ships and barges. The inventory of solid wastes and industrial sludges included construction and demolition debris, dredge spoils, sewage sludge, and spent acids. The objectives were: To determine the nature and magnitude of present oceanic disposal practices from major U.S. coastal cities; To evaluate what is known regarding the effects of these wastes on the marine environment, and particularly, the biota; To summarize the legal framework under which these disposal operations are carried out; To determine the status of regulatory monitoring of these operations; and To identify those aspects of marine disposal which are problem areas and make appropriate recommendations.