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When a carrier must break off for an emergency
launch or recovery of aircraft
When ships separate to the point where hoses
appear in danger of parting; when separation distances
cause wires to approach the last layer on the winch
drums;, or when a casualty or equipment failure may
result in a tightline condition
When a rig parts and there is a possibility that the
screw will become fouled
When a person is lost overboard and a lifeguard
ship or helicopter is not on station
The order for an emergency breakaway may be
given by the commanding officer of either the receiving
ship or the delivery ship. Once initiated, the delivery
ship will assume control and initiate proper hand signals
with appropriate parallel information on the
sound-powered phones to the receiving ship. Most
important in the execution of an emergency breakaway
is to allow sufficient time for the ships to disconnect the
rigs in an orderly manner.
Sound-powered phones and hand signals should be
the primary means of communication for ordering an
emergency breakaway, because of the minimal amount
of noise generated. However, 1MC, bull horns, and
voice radio circuits should be used, if necessary, to
ensure rapid ship-to-ship communications.
The danger signal (at least five short blasts) will be
sounded by the ship initiating the emergency
breakaway to alert all ships in the vicinity. In sounding
five short blasts on the whistle to alert ships near
emergency breakaway, due regard should be taken of
(1) the tactical situation, (2) the effect on increased
noise levels on conning officer-to-helmsman
communication, and (3) the disruption to intership and
intraship sound-powered phone communications
caused by whistle signals. Radio, or even visual means,
may be preferred to whistle signals to notify ships in
company. Authorization and/or coordination for nonuse
of whistle signals should be affirmed between ships
involved in the underway replenishment and the officer
in tactical command (OTC) before commencement of
the underway replenishment.
The OTC and other ships in the formation should be
informed immediately of the emergency via voice radio
if security permits. Amplifying details must be relayed
as soon as possible thereafter. When a condition
warranting an emergency breakaway is recognized, the
following actions should be taken:
1. Notify the following intraship stations of
conditions or situations that require execution of an
emergency breakaway:
Bridge (initiate the danger signal by radio or
visual means, if prearranged, or by sounding five short
blasts on the ship's whistle)
Cargo control center
Fuel control center
Fueling stations
Cargo stations
2. Pass the word between ships according to
prescribed procedures for the following:
Bridge to bridge for all ships alongside
Station to station
Bridge to OTC and other ships in formation
(security permitting)
3. Stop all transfers.
4. Retrieve rigs in accordance with prescribed
procedures.
5. When all lines have been released by the
receiving ship, both ships maneuver as appropriate to
get clear.
VERTICAL REPLENISHMENT
(VERTREP)
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Define vertical
replenishment (VERTREP). Identify the time
when vertical replenishment is used,
Since vertical replenishment (VERTREP) is
discussed extensively in Boatswain's Mate, Volume I,
NAVEDTRA 10101, it will be discussed only briefly
here.
Vertical replenishment (VERTREP) uses a
helicopter to transport cargo from the deck of an
underway replenishment ship to the deck of the
receiving ship. VERTREP augments or, in some cases,
replaces connected replenishment. It can be conducted
with the receiving ship alongside during connected
replenishment, over the horizon in an ASW screen,
firing gunfire support, or at anchor anywhere within
range. Range depends upon the helicopter, flying
conditions, and the load.
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