Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Mohr | Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Lutz, the training officer assigned to Amphibious Construction...... read more read more
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor Mohr
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Seabees and Sailors assigned to Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT ONE), and Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO (ACB-2) work together to conduct Rapid Penetration Testing (RPT) in support of the upcoming Elevated Causeway System (ELCAS) build.
The purpose of penetration testing is to evaluate the geotechnical properties of a soil for building support foundations used to construct the ELCAS.
“RPT hasn’t been performed since the last ELCAS build back in 2011,” Said LCDR Daniel Lutz, the training officer assigned to ACB-2. “During my time as the executive officer of UCT ONE from 2009 to 2011 we never performed any RPT. It’s interesting that now I am at ACB-2 I finally get to dive and get hands on with it.”
Qualified Seabee divers use underwater hydraulic tools to make sure that the piles used underneath the ELCAS are securely driven into the soil to a depth in which they will be stable enough to support the entire system.
“Being tasked with RPT really forces us to pull together multiple capabilities simultaneously. In my eyes, using hydraulic tools is what underwater construction is all about,” said Steelworker 1st Class Ryan Dohse, the dive supervisor for the operation assigned to UCT ONE.
The divers conducted operations off an ACB-2 Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) causeway ferry.
“The platform was nearly ideal for our diveside setup,” said Dohse. “There was plenty of deck space and we appreciate that, especially when we have our hydraulic setup.”
Divers worked alongside ACB-2 Sailors to conduct the operation. ACB-2 sailors made sure the INLS craft were properly positioned and anchored to ensure the divers had necessary positioning.
“"I like to show off what we do to other units, especially other Seabee units. We are so small so I think our type of work is rarely seen,” said UT2 Jordan Delasalas, a diver assigned to UCT ONE.
UCT ONE provides responsive inshore and ocean underwater construction, inspection, repair and maintenance to ocean facilities for Navy, Marine Corps and joint forces engaged in military operations.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2015 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 171313 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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