NVSC Basic Seamanship LtCol J. D. Fleming 2 Oct 2014

Ships 101

Ship Construction Ships are the basic element of the Navy. Armament: “Punch” of the ship Survivability: Survive the effects of combat Seaworthiness: Operate in high wind / sea Maneuverability: Turning / evading Speed: Power / size / hull Endurance: Steam time at given speed

Ship Structure Hull: Main body of the ship Superstructure: All structures above the main deck which is the uppermost and runs continuously from stem to stern Decks are numbered going down from the main deck (2, 3, 4 going down the ship) Levels are numbered going up from the main deck (O1, O2, O3 going up the ship)

Vital Systems Propulsion –Steam, nuclear, gas, diesel, propellers Steering –Rudder is the basic and most important componenet Potable water –Cooking, showers, drinking –Evaporators make it, but can only make so much Saltwater –Firefighting and heads

Specialized Spaces The Bridge –Primary control position for the ship –All orders affecting ship movement originate Combat Information Center (CIC) –Nerve center of the ship –Tactical operations are controlled Damage Control Center (DCC) –Central site for ship safety –Always prepared for emergency

Ship Safety

Officer’s Role in Ship Safety A ship is an industrial environment with accidents around every corner What role do officers play in preventing accidents? –Know your job –Train your Sailors to properly do their job –Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn –SUPERVISE Why must the officer focus on the “BIG PICTURE?” –Mission readiness of the ship

General Shipboard safety Shipboard life is inherently different and dangerous. Don’t have loose clothing or hair. Keep your boots tied. Wear leather steel-toed boots, hearing / eye protection, appropriate head gear. Always maintain focus on the task at hand and STOP any unsafe act immediately.

Emergencies

General Quarters Major Emergency (Attack) “General Quarters! General Quarters! All hands man your battle stations!” FUSDAP: Forward, Up, Starboard; Down, Aft, Port Marines report to your bunk and stay there unless you are part of a gun team

Abandon Ship Know: –Your station and duties –Escape routes topside –How to inflate a life jacket –How to lower a boat and let go a life raft –Handle survival gear –All of this IN THE DARK! Rehearse and ACT FAST!

Fire Rapid bell followed by: –One bell for forward third, then compartment –Two bells for middle third, then compartment –Three bells for aft third, then compartment Report FIRST, fight fire second Send a runner is able Fight fire (do not leave) until fire party arrives

Damage Control

Why Damage Control?

Why Damage Control (DC)? Every Sailor’s job, no matter rate or paygrade Training, team assignment Two major elements of DC: –Fighting fires –Control flooding

DC Organization Administrative –Each Division has a DC Petty Officer –Inspections, preventive maintenance, training Battle –DC Central directs all DC actions –Graphics of all ship subdivisions and systems –Directs all repair parties

Watertight Integrity Without it, the ship will flood and sink Ship is broken down into compartments Each has watertight closures –Doors –Hatch covers Check of lists for each compartment Regular maintenance of closures is critical

Water-Tight Door (WTD) Door, hinged metal panel closing a bulkhead opening Individually Dogged Watertight Door (WTD) Individual dogs, Between 4 and 12 dogs

Scuttle Scuttle, hinged metal cover, circular in shape, installed in a deck or bulkhead opening Quick-Acting Watertight Scuttle (QAWTS) –Single handwheel operates all dogs –Mounted flush with the deck or on a raised coaming

Watertight Integrity Navy ships are extensively compartmented. This compartmentalization acts as a barrier to fires and flooding and prevents further damage. Navy ships are built to withstand the solid flooding of a certain number of compartments without sinking. This passive defense is surrendered if watertight integrity is not maintained through training and repair. Watertight doors and hatches must be maintained and closed properly.

Material Conditions of Readiness Explains which doors, hatches and fittings are permitted open (the ship’s level of watertight integrity). –Yoke (Y) –X-ray (X) –Zebra (Z) –Dog Zebra –William –Circle William

Material condition of readiness X-ray (X): Provides the least protection and is set in port, during normal working hours, and when there is little danger of attack or damage. All fittings marked with a black “X” shall be closed.

Material condition of readiness Zebra (Z): Set during GENERAL QUARTERS; provides the maximum protection for the ship and personnel in battle and emergency situations. All fittings marked with a red “Z” shall be closed, in addition to those marked with an “X” and “Y."

Fire Fighting Constant threat aboard ship that must be controlled quickly Fire Triangle: FUEL OXYGEN IGNITION SOURCE

Types of Fires Class A: Paper, Wood, etc. Class B: Flammable liquids Class C: Electrical Class D: Metals (Sodium, titanium, magnesium, etc)

Fire Fighting Equipment The Firemain (“the Main”) –Water system that delivers seawater to fireplugs, sprinklers Portable Extinguishers Pumps Protective clothing and equipment Fire Fighting Parties –Two hose teams (Attack and backup)

Battle Dress

EEBD (Emerg. Escape Breathing Device) Up to 15 minutes Escape (egress) only DO NOT use to fight fires

Seamanship

Marlinespike Seamanship The art of working with line or rope Rope: Still in its original coil Line: A piece cut for a specific purpose Types of rope and line Working with lines

Mooring Securing a ship to: –A Pier –Another Ship –A mooring buoy –Anchoring

Cleat - Consists of a double-ended pair of horns, used for securing a line or wire. Bitts - Pairs of heavy vertical cylinders, used for making fast lines led through chocks. Bollard - Strong cylindrical upright on a pier, about which a mooring line is placed. Ground Tackle and Mooring Equipment

Chock - Heavy fitting with smooth surfaces through which mooring lines are led. Roller Open Closed

Mooring Lines Mooring lines are the lines used to secure the ship to a wharf, pier or another ship. Definition of lines: Breast lines - Run at right angles from the ship, control distance of ship from pier Aft spring lines - Tend aft from ship, control forward movement. Forward spring lines - Tend forward from the ship, control aft movement

Mooring Lines Numbering of lines: #1 - Bow Breast line #2 - Aft bow spring line #3 - Forward bow spring line #4 - Aft quarter spring line #5 - Forward quarter spring line #6 - Stern Breast line

Dip the Eye When two bights are placed on the same bollard, the second one is led up through the first before being put over the bollard. This allows either to be cast off without moving the other.

Line Handling Safety Wear appropriate PPE. Never stand in a bight. Never get between a load and the ship. When working a line stay six feet from a cleat/chock/bollard. Remove rings/watches/jewelry Never wrap a line around your hand. Don’t get your fingers between the line and the tackle.

Deck Seamanship Cargo Handling –Transfer stores and cargo on, off, and in –Meticulous operation!!! Underway Replenishment (UNREP) –Connected Replenishment (CONREP) Line Rigs, hoses –Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) Helicopters

Review Name two line handling safety precautions What is a VERTREP? What is a line? What is “The Main” When is material condition ZEBRA set? What are the two major elements of Damage Control?

Review What is the main body of the ship called? How do you move on a ship when General Quarters is sounded? What specialized space on the ship do all orders affecting ship movement originate? What is the basic element of the Navy? Without what?? the ship will fill with water and sink

Review What mooring equipment is pictured?

Questions?