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Underwater Construction Team 2 Dives into the Arctic

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080913-28
Release Date: 9/13/2008 2:14:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Ernesto Hernandez Fonte, 30th Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

THULE AIR BASE, Greenland (NNS) -- Seabee divers from Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 Air Detachment Alfa completed successful diving operations at Thule Air Base, Greenland, the northernmost deepwater port in the world, Aug. 27.

For 600 military and civilian residents, the work of UCT 2 in maintaining the port was essential to their survival. The port, which is open for only 30 days every year, is a critical supply route for the base and supports its space superiority missions which include ballistic missile early warning as well as space surveillance. This year, more than 14 million gallons of fuel were offloaded from two tankers as well as supplies from five cargo ships.

"The harbor is ice-locked for most of the year, and we knew we had to remove this debris so contractors could start the dredging phase," said Construction Mechanic 3rd Class (DV) John K. Monahan. "By helping to keep the port open we played a big part in ensuring ships are able to come in."

With a timeline of two weeks to set up, complete the mission and pack out, UCT 2 divers removed 102 pieces of debris from Thule's Delong pier in preparation for the second phase of the project where local contractors would dredge the port.

"Using information from a survey in 2007, originally we were tasked with removing 26 objects," said Chief Builder (SCW/MDV) Jason Vertin, officer in charge.

"After conducting a survey with our divers, we found that the amount of debris to be removed increased extensively. This meant that some nights we had to work until 9:30 P.M. to stay within our timeline."

While above the surface the detachment faced below 30-degree Fahrenheit temperatures while adapting to 24 hours of daylight. Below the surface they faced even colder temperatures, low visibility and the removal of debris ranging from large truck tires to 5,000 and 17,000 pound boulders. To dive, warm water was pumped into each diver's suit to prevent hypothermia.

"Divers train through a six-month dive school, which includes first class dive school," said Construction Electrician 1st Class (SCW/DV) Terence Juergens, Air Detachment Alpha's leading petty officer. "Training and experience with diver life support systems, rigging, salvage and working by touch due to the low visibility are some of the skills we had to apply while diving in Greenland."

UCT 2 was picked for this mission due to their unique diving and construction skills, arctic expertise from years of exercises in those extreme parts of the world and, according to Vertin, a great reputation of getting the job done whether on land or undersea.

"We get to travel all over the world," said Juergens.
"In August we got to see ice caps, rivers and mountains of ice while diving in one of the coldest parts of the world. It's a great opportunity to do something that not many people are able to do in their lifetime."

For more news from 30th Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/30NCR/.