FM 55-501

MARINE CREWMAN'S HANDBOOK

	Preface
Chapter 1	INTRODUCTION TO ARMY WATERCRAFT
	Watercraft Operations Classes of Watercraft Descriptions of Logistics Support Vessel
Chapter 2	SHIPBOARD LIFE
	Marine Qualification Shipboard Customs and Courtesies Deck Watches Logbooks Shipboard Sanitation Water Pollution Control Accident Reports
Chapter 3	VESSEL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
	Nautical Terminology Structural Parts of the Hull Shipboard Measurements Categories of Ship's Deck Gear

Chapter 4	SMALL BOAT HANDLING
	Forces Affecting Boat Handling Standard Steering Commands Handling Characteristics of Single- and Twin-Screw Vessels Docking and Undocking Handling Grounded Harbor Craft Heavy Weather Measures
Chapter 5	CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS
	The Earth and Its Coordinates The Mercator Chart Chart Portfolios Correcting a Chart Requisitioning Procedures for Charts Publications
Chapter 6	DEAD RECKONING AND PILOTING TECHNIQUES
	The Magnetic Compass Piloting Instruments Aids to Navigation Dead Reckoning Piloting Techniques
Chapter 7	TIDES AND CURRENTS
	Tides Tide Tables Predicting the Height of Tide Tidal Currents Tidal Current Tables Predicting the Set and Drift of the Current
Chapter 8	WEATHER
	Weather Instruments Clouds Basic Elements of Weather

Chapter 9	SHIPBOARD COMMUNICATIONS
	Shipboard Tactical and Marine Radios Communications-Electronics Operation Instructions Signaling by International Code Flags Flashing Light Signals Distress, Urgent, and Special Signals Emergency Radiotelephone Procedures
Chapter 10	MARINE EMERGENCIES
	Station Bill Emergency Signals Emergency Squad Abandon Ship Procedures Life Rafts Search Air Rescue Shipboard NBC Defense
Chapter 11	SHIPBOARD FIRE FIGHTING
	Chemistry of Fire Classes of Fire Extinguishing Agents Portable Fire Extinguishers Semiportable Fire Extinguishers Fixed Fire Stations Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Chapter 12	MARLINESPIKE SEAMANSHIP
	Care and Use of Fiber Line Knots, Bends, and Hitches Splicing Three-Strand Fiber Line Care and Use of Wire Rope Putting an Eye in Wire Rope Splicing 2-in-1 Double-Braided Nylon Line (Samson 2-in-1 Braid-Splicing Principles)
Chapter 13	DECK MAINTENANCE
	Preventive Maintenance Hand Tools and Their Use Painting Spray Guns and Their Use Maintenance of Ship's Rigging and Deck Machinery
Chapter 14	BEACHING AND RETRACTING OPERATIONS
	Rules for Landing Operations Surf Action Preparing to Hit the Beach Beaching Hazards Broaching To Beaching Procedures Beaching an LCU Retracting an LCU Retracting an LCM Salvage Procedures
Chapter 15	LANDING CRAFT OPERATIONS
	Administrative Operation Tactical Operation
	Section I -- Tactical Operations
	Amphibious Operations Loading for Movement Overseas Boat Groups Calling Boats Alongside Landing Craft Waves Types of Formations Landing Craft Visual Signals Hydrographic and Beach Markers General Unloading Phase
	Section II -- Logistics-Over-The-Shore Operations
	Logistic Over The Shore Operations Cargo Documentation Cargo Loading Operations Tips On Securing Cargo Aboard Landing Craft Loading Troops
Chapter 16	SAFETY
	Responsibilities for Safety Program Principles of an Effective Safety Program Safety Standing Operating Procedure Special Precautions Safety Color Code Markings and Signs

Chapter 17	SHIPBOARD EXPEDIENTS (EMERGENCIES)
	Emergency Steering Procedures, LCM-8 Field Expedient Repairs LCU 1600 Emergency Steering Lowering the Ramp on an LCM-8 Without Power Raising the Ramp on an LCM-8 Without Power Beaching Stern First Underwater Repairs Expedient Repairs--Troubleshooting Chart Floating in a Towline
Chapter 18	SEARCH AND RESCUE
	Personal Survival Cold Water Survival and Hypothermia Sector Search Pattern for One Ship
Chapter 19	TOWING
	Types of Tow Description of Towing Equipment Handling Towlines Towing Alongside (Hip Tow) Towing Astern (Inland Waters) Towing Astern (Open Sea) Towing in Tandem
Chapter 20	RIGGING (SEAMANSHIP)
	Section I -- Blocks and Tackles
	Description of Blocks Common Cargo Blocks Combinations of Blocks and Tackles Reeving Blocks and Tackles Determining the Mechanical Advantages of Tackles
	Section II -- Computations
	Computing Friction Computing Breaking Strength and Safe Working Load Computing the Breaking Strength of a Block and Tackle Computing Safe Working Load for Hooks, Shackles, and Turnbuckles

	Section III -- Block Maintenance and Rigging
	Maintenance and Overhaul of Blocks Standing Rigging Inspections of Rigging Grounding Masts
Chapter 21	GROUND TACKLE
	Anchors Anchor Chain Marking the Anchor Chain The Anchor Windlass Letting Go the Anchor--General Procedures Operating the Capstan Anchor Windlass Operating the Horizontal Anchor Windlass Sequence of Weighing Anchor Securing the Anchor for Sea Maintenance
Chapter 22	DAMAGE CONTROL
	Damage Control Program Shoring Bracing Use of Carpenter's Steel Square in Shoring Plugging Patching Pipe Repair Emergency Damage Control Metallic Pipe Repair Kit
Appendix A	NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Appendix B	FORMATS FOR REQUISITIONING CHARTS AND OTHER MARINE PRODUCTS FROM THE DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY
Appendix C	EXTRACT FROM AMERICAN PRACTICAL NAVIGATOR, VOLUME II
Appendix D	WIRE AND NYLON TOWLINES
Glossary
Bibliography
Authentication

Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
*This publication supersedes FM 55-501, 15 March 1983; FM 55-501-1, 13 May 1985; FM 55-501-2, 21 December 1984, and TM 55-503, 13 July 1966.

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FM 55-501

MARINE CREWMAN'S HANDBOOK

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