San Antonio Deck Department Puts New Assets To Work on Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081016-10
Release Date: 10/16/2008 6:02:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- While deployed in support of maritime security operations (MSO), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio's (LPD 17) Deck Department uses new technology and assets that impacts daily shipboard operations.
One of these features is San Antonio's complement of three -- rather than two -- ridged-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) at their disposal.
"Having three small boats makes amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) operations and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations that much easier to accomplish our missions," explained Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer.
Maritime security operations in the 5th area of responsibility places a demand on small boat operations.
"MSO has been pushing the Navy to come up with faster and more efficient ways of deploying our RHIBs for AAV operations and VBSS teams," said Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Yvonne Dunn. "Having more boats at our disposal for these missions makes San Antonio more versatile than older LPDs that only have two RHIBs."
Deploying RHIBs in the water has become more efficient due to the articulating knuckle boom crane.
"The articulating knuckle boom crane is the first of its kind aboard an LPD class," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Mark Brandt. "It runs with hydraulics, has a reach of 69 feet, rotates 270 degrees and can lift 22,000 pounds."
"This crane is more valuable than older gravity davits because the only way to raise or lower the boats then was to manually pull or lower them into the water," added Dunn.
The articulating knuckle boom crane's use is not limited to just raising and lowering RHIBs.
"We're capable of using our crane for loading and unloading supplies from the pier when moored and raising or lowering the brow on the portside for transiting on and off the ship," said Dunn.
According to the ship's leadership, modern technology is no substitute for San Antonio's Deck Department's greatest asset, its Sailors. Comprised of a collection of boatswain's mates and deck seamen, deck department Sailors tend to a variety of shipboard operations and watches.
"We stand bridge watches, steer the ship and stand lookout to find approaching vessels," said Chief Warrant Officer Shawn Stacey, San Antonio's Bos'n. "Once these vessels are spotted and identified, deck department mans the crane and boat davits to deploy our RHIBs."
Training is the key to keep deck department Sailors' skills sharp.
"We spend countless hours training on anything from basic seamanship, to running cranes, davits, boats, fueling and cargo stations," said Brandt. "We expect a lot out of our personnel, but they can see why we train as hard as we do, because of how dangerous an environment it can be in deck department."
"We are able to complete every mission and task that is thrown our way," added Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Charles Stillinger. "With the superb leadership and guidance from our upper chain of command, as well as the drive and determination from our junior sailors, we can succeed in any given situation with utmost pride and professionalism."
San Antonio is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group to conduct MSO. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.
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