Navy unit prepares fuels transfer system for Turbo Patriot
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A special unit was put together from the Underwater Construction Team 1, of Norfolk, Va., and the Underwater Construction Team 2 from Port Hueneme, Calif.
The UCT's job is to set up a fuel transfer system from off shore to the Beach Termination Unit on the beach. The tanker, the SS Chesapeake, will be anchored in about 100 feet of water just off the beach.
According to Petty Officer Brian Snow, one of the divers, "We will sink the SALM Base to the bottom with the single anchor leg mooring floating on the water. This is what the Chesapeake will look for to hook up to the pipeline."
The base will stay on the bottom without the need for any anchoring - it weighs close to 700 tons when in position.
To get the base off the transport ship, the ship "leans" to the side so the base will slide off the ship under controlled conditions into the water. The base is then flooded to sink it to the bottom.
A series of large hoses connect the tanker to the base, then to the BTU. From there the Army fuels people will transport and deliver the fuel were it is needed.
"Everything is in place ready for the Chesapeake to show up," said Navy Chief Warrant Officer Bill Johnson, deputy chief of the team. "It will be looking for the SALM which sticks above the water line about five feet," he adds.
Chesapeake will be carrying 450,000 gallons of fresh water as simulated fuel. Exercise planners have made safety the number one concern, therefore, the water instead of fuel.
The UCT will assist the Chesapeake's crew to offload the "fuel" using small boats and divers. Tugboats pull the large hose to the hookup points on the submarine hose where divers make the connection. The submarine hose goes through the SALM base to the beach.
"Turbo Patriot gives us a chance to sink the SALM in a deep spot," Johnson says. "We've trained many times in 60 feet, but doing it in 100 feet is a whole new ball game. Very challenging. A great opportunity to test our skills."
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