Man Overboard Drills Prepare Anzio Sailors for Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060419-06
Release Date: 4/19/2006 1:35:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Recruit Jeff Hall, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
USS ANZIO, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) practiced man overboard procedures April 12 as part of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
Man overboard drills test a crew’s ability to respond quickly in an emergency situation at sea.
“Man overboard drills help prepare the ship’s readiness by training the crew how to properly respond [to a sudden emergency] during a somewhat relaxed period,” said Ensign Matt Copare, Anzio’s 1st lieutenant. “The seriousness of losing a Sailor, especially on a small boy, affects the entire ship. You can never conduct enough drills - you have to train like it’s the real thing.”
Man overboard drills have three parts: the bridge drives the ship, the ship's combat information center determines the best search method, and the small-boat deck gears up to recover the man overboard with search and rescue (SAR) swimmers.
According to Copare, the drills play an integral part in the COMPTUEX training being conducted April 12 to May 12.
During the April 12 drill, the recovery fell to Operations Specialist 3rd Class Sean Alley, a SAR swimmer making his first rescue aboard Anzio.
The speed and effectiveness of a SAR swimmer can determine life or death for a Sailor overboard. The drills, said Alley, give him the real-life practice he needs to prepare for the real thing.
“The biggest thing about what I have learned is safety and time,” said Alley. “Getting a survivor to safety in a timely manner - minutes, seconds can mean death if they are critically injured.”
As a member of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group, Anzio SAR swimmers will ultimately be responsible for assisting in recovery operations for the other members of the strike group, as well.
“They are the ones who are responsible for the life and the safety of the person or persons who fell overboard,” said Copare. “Not only that, but also other ships that may have someone in the water.”
“They go through a three-week course of rigorous training and evaluations to help prepare them for what could happen in the fleet,” said Copare.
Knowing this, Copare is confident Anzio SAR swimmers are prepared to answer the call if needed.
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