Big E Deck Department Utilizes 5th UNREP Rig
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS040122-10
Release Date: 1/23/2004 2:44:00 AM
By Journalist Seaman Richard Locklear, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted an underway replenishment (UNREP) with USS Detroit (AOE 6) Jan. 9 in a way that allowed the ship to take on approximately 25 percent more cargo than a typical UNREP.
According to Chief Warrant Officer 2 George A. Wenn Jr., the crew utilized a fifth UNREP station to allow the greater onload capacity.
"Normally we use four rigs, two for cargo with sliding padeyes and two double-probe receiving rigs for transferring fuel," said Wenn. "This time, we used our stream support leg, which encompasses the use of a star-latch assembly and a Cargo Drop Reel."
Wenn said that the rig is different from a sliding padeye, because it requires Sailors to manually lower the cargo to the deck using a pulley-like lanyard. This was the first time Big E Sailors attempted to use the rig in eight years.
"The reason that we haven't used this rig in so long is because it is more difficult to use and requires more manpower," said Lt. Cmdr. David Stokes, Big E's first lieutenant. "But the whole purpose of UNREP is to get as much onto the ship as fast as you can. Doing this will help us accomplish that goal, so why not run five stations?"
Stokes said that another reason he wanted to run five stations was to give the boatswain's mates a chance to use that particular piece of equipment.
"Many of them will leave here and go to another ship where they use this kind of rig on a regular basis," he said.
Before the UNREP, some Deck Sailors had their reservations.
"At first, I was a little scared, because they said it hadn't been used in years and because this rig has so many different parts," said Seaman Nigel Cooper, a linehandler and rigger during the UNREP. "But our leading petty officer did an excellent job as the Rig Captain. He instructed us on how everything went and what to do. This was a good experience, because now, I'll know how to use this if I go to another ship."
Wenn said that while this evolution had its dangers, he was confident that his Sailors could handle it.
"To prepare for this, we set up the rig after the last UNREP, so we could familiarize ourselves with it. It wasn't easy, but going into it, I was very confident in the Enterprise Deck Department's ability to accomplish a five-station UNREP."
"Considering that this was our first time running five stations, I'd say we did an excellent job," said Stokes. "But we could always improve on that."
Stokes also added that they won't stop at five rigs.
"Next time that we do an underway replenishment, we are going to run six stations," he said confidently.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
