USS Cole Documentary to Focus on Damage Control Training
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060615-11
Release Date: 6/15/2006 11:00:00 AM
By Colby Pierce, Naval Personnel Development Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Discovery Channel visited the Center for Naval Engineering’s damage control trainer on Naval Station Norfolk June 7 to film part of a documentary in the series, “Nearly History,” which showcases important events that have occurred in the last 25 years.
This particular documentary will focus on the bombing of USS Cole (DDG 67) while it was refueling in the Yemen port of Aden Oct. 12, 2000, that resulted in the death of 17 Sailors and 39 injured.
“We want this documentary to be an accurate depiction of what happened with the crew working to save the ship in the hours and days following the attack,” said Kathrine Bancroft, an associate producer of Independent Television News (ITN) Factual, an independent production company commissioned by Discovery Channel to make the film. “We want to speak with as many people as possible who were involved with the bombing, including the victims and their families.”
The damage control trainer known as USS Buttercup was used to simulate what it was like aboard after the small terrorist boat loaded with explosives hit the ship’s hull. Buttercup is a mock ship that sits in a basin of about 80,000 gallons of water and is capable of being flooded with about half of that water. Students are taught shoring, pipe patching, de-watering and plugging — all skills necessary in fighting to save a sinking ship.
“This documentary will be a great way to capture what happened on the USS Cole, from the attack to its aftermath,” said Damage Control School Department Head Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danni Rogers. “I am very proud that the Buttercup is being used to honor not only the Cole, but the fallen Sailors, as well.”
Buttercup’s heritage dates back to its construction in 1942. Approximately 12,000 Sailors train on it per year. Rogers said the training those Cole Sailors received was invaluable to saving the ship and Sailors’ lives.
“This documentary will help Sailors aboard ships to always remember the threat to national security and to remain vigilant,” Rogers said. “This should help the audience to remain aware that the threat toward our country and military is out there and that it is real.”
The documentary is comprised of actors playing roles of Sailors who were aboard during the attack and also actual Navy Sailors. One of the actors, Derrick Johnson, did not know what to expect when he first found out he received a role as a Cole Sailor.
“I felt proud to be able to re-enact a part of history that will be shown throughout the years to remind people of the attack,” Johnson said.
After Johnson finished his scenes on Buttercup, his outlook changed completely.
“The Buttercup was way more than I expected. It gave me a feeling of fulfillment,” Johnson said. “This experience enables me to imagine what happened that day, and now I understand more about what the Navy does and what it stands for.”
Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Marcus Aponte has been in the Navy for more than two years and was one of the Sailors who received training June 7.
“This documentary brings the threat of attacks close to home,” Aponte said. “My first ship was on a destroyer like the Cole, and one of my friends was on the Cole when it happened. I am glad that this attack is being remembered.”
The series is projected to air this fall.
For more information on the Center for Naval Engineering, visit their Web site at https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/page?paf_pageId=page96 and log onto Navy Knowledge Online (NKO).
For related news, visit the Naval Personnel Development Command/Task Force EXCEL Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/tfe/.
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