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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (April 16, 2020) – “There are divers working over the side,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Rosheena Brown, petty officer of the watch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). “Do not operate any underwater equipment, rotate screws, cycle rudders, take suction from or discharge to the sea without first contacting the officer of the deck and the diving supervisor.”
George Washington’s watchstanders have rarely used this particular one main circuit (1MC) call in recent years, as the ship spent much of its refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) period in dry dock 11. Since moving back to the water in September 2019, however, the work of divers will be essential to finishing George Washington’s RCOH.
Some Sailors who have been on George Washington for years may have heard the divers announcement recently for the first time since being stationed on the ship. Some even newer check-ins may not have heard the call at all. Understanding the meaning of the divers announcement and how they should react to hearing the call, however, is imperative for Sailors and shipyard workers to prevent catastrophic events.
“Operation of certain equipment used on the ship could hurt or kill personnel working in the water,” said Ensign Alex O’Connor, George Washington’s diving officer and quality assurance officer. “The crew needs to be vigilant and aware of the systems they are operating to avoid putting divers at additional risk.”
A qualified petty officer of the watch is responsible for making these announcements during their watch to keep the divers safe. It is important for them to understand the meaning and significance behind their announcement as well, as Brown explains.
“Divers in the water announcements create a safer work environment,” said Brown. “The announcement is made every 15 minutes and keeps warning the crew that divers are working until they are done with their work.”
The frequency and clarity of the announcement is designed to ensure that Sailors throughout the ship understand that even if they do not operate any specific underwater equipment, they need to be cognizant of how their actions might have an impact on the divers next to and underneath the ship.
“Diving operations are inherently dangerous and made even more so by diving next to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier,” said O’Connor. “The role of the diving officer and ship's company is to do everything we can to minimize risk.”
The work divers conduct is on underwater equipment such as hull suction and discharge valves, and includes work that may not be able to be performed while in a dry dock status. The equipment considered potentially hazardous for divers may already be marked as not usable on the ship during the time the divers are working, but the announcements are a precautionary measure.
“For the most part, the diving team is self-sufficient after receiving permission to conduct diving operations,” said O’Connor. “We can still assist the diving team by being cognizant of other evolutions in the vicinity of divers and any effect that could have on their safety.”
Sailors can discuss with their duty section or chain of command to ensure the work they are completing does not pose a risk to these divers.
“Sailors should listen to the announcements and pay attention to the area of
the ship where diving operations are being conducted,” said O’Connor. “They should evaluate whether the maintenance or system operations they are doing have any effect on systems that could endanger divers in the water.”
In the event that something does go awry during dive operations, George Washington has specific procedures to follow.
“Take actions just like any other casualty aboard the ship,” said O’Connor. “Inform your watch team or chain of command and call away the casualty to the quarterdeck or casualty control. The quarterdeck will have contact information for the diving coordinator and the dive team. Ultimately, the diving coordinator will work with the diving team to keep divers safe.”
George Washington watchstanders also have procedures for occurances that may involve other ships.
“Other ships on the pier will be notified via naval message traffic of diving operations,” said O’Connor. “They are responsible to review diver notification messages and de-conflict evolutions that could cause harm to divers in the water. The diving coordinator and command duty officer (CDO) will work with harbor operations and the squadron CDO to ensure all vessels are aware of diving operations on adjacent piers.”
In addition to procedures once divers are in the water, there is a specific set of guidelines that the ship and prospective divers must follow before they enter the water and begin their work.
“All actions to approve divers going in the water are in accordance with George Washington Instruction (GWINST) 3150.27,” said O’Connor. “Typically, the ship will be informed of a diving window by a maintenance detachment or diving outfit. The diving coordinator will release an initial notification informing responsible departments of the scope of the diving operations. The diving coordinator will also release a naval message informing vessels on adjacent piers of the planned diving operations.”
After the proper entities are notified of the upcoming dive, George Washington’s crew begins to take preporatory actions.
“Responsible departments will prepare and hang divers tags for the affected area of the ship,” said O’Connor. “The diving coordinator will validate these preparations and work with the CDO to ensure the duty section is ready to support divers.”
O’Connor also said a safety brief, a diving pennant, and a completed checklist are all required before permission is granted to conduct diving operations. The announcement will then be made via the 1MC.
“Diving operations affect the entire ship,” said O’Connor. “Security has to be cognizant of additional small boat traffic in the vicinity of the ship. Combat systems has to secure a number of systems such as the fathometer, cathodic protection, and underwater telephone. Engineering and damage control need to have a complete understanding of how pump rooms are affected, and what fire pumps are available to combat casualties.”
Though diver announcements may appear redundant or even initially confusing to newer Sailors, they are necessary to ensure divers conduct the work needed for the ship to complete its overall mission. Understanding and awareness of action taking place throughout the ship and in the water next to the ship is required of all George Washington Sailors while divers are in the water.
“Diving operations are essential to maintaining USS George Washingtion as a
wartime asset for the next 25 years,” said O’Connor. “Although inherently dangerous, diving operations can be conducted safely with proper planning, work controls, and engagement from the crew.”
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2020 18:07 |
| Story ID: | 372760 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 425 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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