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loads, while others can be used only for light cargo or
personnel transfer. Standard rigs, named here only for
familiarization purposes, include the Burton, housefall,
and highline.
The standard transfer replenishment alongside
method (STREAM) is a high-speed, transfer method
developed for transferring cargo and missiles between
ships at sea. Passing a STREAM transfer rig is done in
much the same manner as passing other rigs. During
transfer, the missile is suspended from a combination
strongback and trolley. The fundamental difference
between STREAM and the conventional methods is the
preset and controlled tension in the highline wire that
allows STREAM to handle loads up to 9,000 pounds. A
brief description of the major STREAM equipment
follows.
Ram Tensioner
The ram-tensioned system employs an air-
hydraulic ram unit to maintain constant tension on the
span wire or highline, thus improving load control. An
electronic control system assists the winch operator in
maintaining desired tension on the ram-tensioned high-
line. The ram tensioner consists of a large hydraulic
cylinder (the piston acts as the ram), an air compressor,
an accumulator, and air flasks. The highline is reeved
through a movable block on the piston and a fixed block
on the cylinder and then passed to the highline winch.
Air from nearby flasks keeps pressure on a piston in the
accumulator cylinder, from which the pressure is
transmitted to the ram. As tension on the highline or
span wire is relaxed, pressure in the system causes the
ram (piston) to extend, taking up the slack.
Sliding Block
The sliding block travels vertically on a king post of
the delivery ship. The sliding block lifts the transfer
load above bulwark obstructions before transfer. The
highline is reeved through the sliding block.
Sliding Pad Eye
The sliding pad eye travels vertically on a king post
or bulkhead on the receiving ship. Its function is to pick
up and lower loads to the deck of the receiving ship.
Other devices are available with STREAM that can
perform a similar function.
Various items of specialized equipment have been
designed for the STREAM system. These are used to
handle missiles and other large or delicate ordnance.
STREAM equipment in this category includes missile
strongbacks, dollies and adapters.
BURTON METHOD
Essential elements of the Burton rig are two
winches and two whips, one each in each ship. The
outer ends of the whips are shackled to a triple-swivel
cargo hook, and the load is transferred by one ship
paying out on its whip while the other ship heaves in on
its whip. A single Burton can transfer loads up to 6,000
pounds.
There are various ways of rigging the delivering
ship. Normally, the boom to the engaged side is used for
the actual transfer and, with the boom on the opposite
(or unengaged) side, for hoisting cargo from the hold.
Another Burton method, may be used to transfer cargo
when only one set of booms and winches is available at
the active hatch.
Burton whips are of 6 x 37, high-grade plow-steel
wire rope, 3/4 inch in diameter and 800 feet long. One
is tended on the delivering ship and one on the receiving
ship. Each ship furnishes its own whip.
SYNTHETIC HIGHLINES
Synthetic highlines are used to exchange personnel,
light fleet freight, and mail during scheduled
replenishments or as an independent operation.
WARNING
The maximum safe load for transfer by
synthetic highline is 600 pounds.
EMERGENCY BREAKAWAY
During underway replenishment, an emergency
situation may arise that requires an emergency
breakaway. An emergency breakaway is an accelerated
standard breakaway, using an orderly and prearranged
procedure. The objective is to disengage quickly
without damaging the rigs or endangering personnel.
Examples of conditions that warrant ordering an
emergency breakaway are as follows:
When either ship experiences an engineering
casualty that affects its ability to maintain the
replenishment course or speed
When an enemy contact is reported that presents
immediate danger
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