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Enginemen Secure Safe Passage During Continuing Promise 2009

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090404-01
Release Date: 4/4/2009 9:12:00 AM

By Airman 1st Class Danielle Grannan

USNS COMFORT, At Sea (NNS) -- Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will arrive in Haiti the second week of April to offer medical care and perform civic assistance projects as part of Continuing Promise 2009.

This four-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission is an equal partnership mission between the United States and its international partners to provide support programs afloat and ashore in seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ship will offer locals 250 patient beds, four operating rooms, X-ray machines, CT scanners, a pharmacy, dental suites, and physical therapy among other services. But in order for anyone to benefit from these programs, both patients and providers need transportation between the ship and the port.
The embarked staff boat detachment will transport thousands of crew members and patients between the ship and host nations.

"The Navy has two rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) on board," said Engineman 3rd Class (SW) Marc Deskin. "Depending on the port we're at, the boats will be in the water between 18 and 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Each of the RHIBs will be operated by a three-man crew that consists of a boat coxswain, a bow hook and an engineer. The boat coxswain is responsible for navigation, steering and the general safety of those on board. The bow hook is in charge of tending the lines and bringing the boat into the port or to the ship. The engineer is responsible for the performance of the boat, and can accomplish any minor repairs in the water.

"Each RHIB is inspected and tested once a week to make sure the equipment runs properly, the fluid levels are correct and that it is overall operational," said Engineman 2nd Class (SW) Raul Leal-Gonzalez.

Apart from transporting patients, doctors and technicians, these crew members will also act as ambassadors for the United States. They will be the first impression many of the patients have of the Comfort and the United States.

"We will be the front line for the ship," said Leal-Gonzalez. The members of the crew are ready for this important job, he added.

"I'm really excited I was chosen for this mission," said Deskin. "I'm excited to get this opportunity to be a part of something this important and to help people."

For more news from USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), visit www.navy.mil/local/tah20/.