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Damage Control Central
The primary purpose of damage control
central (DCC) is to determine the condition of the
ship and the corrective action to be taken. DCC
makes this determination by collecting and
comparing reports from the various repair
stations.
The DCA is assigned to damage control
central, the nerve center and directing force of the
entire damage control organization. Representa-
tives of various shipboard divisions are also
assigned to DCC.
Reports from repair parties are carefully
checked. This information enables DCC to initiate
immediate action to isolate damaged systems and
to make emergency repairs in the most effective
manner. Under the direction of the DCA, graphic
records of the damage are made on various
damage control diagrams and status boards as
reports are received. For example, reports on
flooding are recorded, as they come in, on a status
board that indicates liquid distribution (fuel and
water) before the damage occurred. With this
information, the stability and buoyancy of the
ship can be estimated and the necessary corrective
measures can be taken.
If damage control central is destroyed or is for
other reasons unable to retain control, designated
repair stations take over the responsibilities of
damage control central.
Repair Parties
All ships have at least one repair party; most
have three or more. Each party has an officer,
a chief petty officer, or a senior petty officer in
charge. This person is called the repair locker
leader or repair party leader. The makeup of each
repair party depends upon the type of ship, the
section of the ship assigned to the repair party,
and the number of personnel available. The
following chart lists the repair parties and their
assigned areas of responsibility:
Repair Party
Location or Function
Repair 1
Main deck repair
Repair 2
Forward repair
Repair 3
After repair
Repair 4
Amidship repair
Repair 5
Propulsion repair
Repair 6
Ordnance
Repair 7
Gallery deck and island structure
Repair 8
Electronics
Additionally, aircraft carriers and ships
equipped for helicopter operations have crash and
salvage teams and personnel trained to repair
damaged aviation fuel piping systems. Carriers
also have an ordnance disposal team.
The specific purpose of each repair party
depends on its area of responsibility. Each repair
party must be able to perform the following
functions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Make repairs to electrical and sound-
powered telephone circuits, and rig casualty
power
Give first aid and transport injured
personnel to battle dressing stations
without seriously reducing the party’s
damage control capabilities
Detect, identify, and measure radiation
dose and dose rate intensities; decon-
taminate the affected areas of nuclear,
biological, and chemical attacks
Identify, control, and extinguish all types
of fires
Evaluate and report correctly the extent of
damage in the repair party’s area of
responsibility
Control flooding
Make repairs to various piping systems
Be familiar with all damage control fittings
in their assigned areas, such as watertight
doors, hatches, scuttles, ventilation
systems, and various valves
On large ships each party is subdivided into
several units and assigned to the various sectors
of the repair party’s area of responsibility. That
speeds up inspections and reduces the chances of
an entire repair party’s becoming a casualty. Each
unit establishes patrols, normally consisting of
three persons who determine material conditions
in their sectors. These patrols report to their repair
party headquarters, which, in turn, reports to
DCC. When all hands are on board, major emer-
gencies are met with the crew at general quarters.
In port, with all hands not on board, each duty
section has a duty in-port fire party and a rescue
and assistance detail. If any emergency arises, all
personnel not assigned specific duties fall in at
quarters. These personnel are then available to
assist the duty in-port fire party and the rescue
and assistance detail.
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