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Wasp Tests New 'Green Deck'

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050706-03
Release Date: 7/6/2005 7:24:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Mark C. Schultz, USS Wasp Public Affairs

ABOARD USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) got underway June 20 to certify its new “green deck.”

Installed during the ship's maintenance availability earlier this year, Wasp’s well deck was outfitted with the Navy’s newest lighting system, which uses a completely new concept on how to light the well deck.

“We’re a prototype, or test bed,” said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Miller. “This isn’t a complete system just yet. We are the very first ship in the Navy to have this put on, and they are looking for feedback on what’s good about it and what’s bad about it.”

The lighting system was designed to provide enough light in the well deck for maintenance and to section the lights so that during darken ship conditions, there would be less chance that light would escape the skin of the ship.

“The system allows us to turn on and off certain sections of the lighting in the well deck, whereas with the old system, if we needed lights at spot one, we had to turn all the lights on,” said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Robert Sprankle, 2nd Division leading chief petty officer. “If we need lights to do repairs on a craft, we can turn on that one section in the well and reduce the possibility of a light leak.”

The new lights aren’t just to protect against light leaks, but are actually designed for use during night vision device operations.

“With the old system, the LCAC (landing craft, air cushion) pilots complained about the lights during NVD (Night Vision Device) operations,” said Miller. “This new system should work well with the NVDs.”

Red lighting in the well deck helps reduce light from escaping the ship, but does not work well with night vision devices. The “green deck” is a set of lights that line the well deck and illuminate the entire area with light that is compatible with the green back lights of the NVDs.

As Wasp certifies its well deck, this new lighting system will be put to the test for the first time, giving the LCAC pilots, Wasp and the Navy a better idea of how this system actually works. As the kinks are worked out, the system will be modified until a “perfect” lighting system is created.

“Already, this is a better system,” said Miller. “We are scheduled to test the system for about one year, but we should get to keep it long after that.”