Question about Navy response to natural disasters

[Stoker]

Wouldn't it take forever and a day for one of them to actually sail down there though??  I seem to recall that they can only do 12-15 knots or there abouts, considerably less than a CPF or 280?

Took us about 6 days to go from Ireland to St.John's, so it could be done.

 

[George Wallace]

Took us about 6 days to go from Ireland to St.John's, so it could be done.

That is quite a respectable time. 

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

That is quite a respectable time. 

Yup not like when they use to cross with oars and sails eh George?

 

[Occam]

Yup not like when they use to cross with oars and sails eh George?

Well, now I know what it feels like when you shoot rum & Coke out your nose... 

 

[Bass ackwards]

Even the ROWPU's the Army has, has limits as to what we can process...... POL contaminated water is no-go as is feed water with a TDS level in excess of 30,000 PPM.

Sorry. Most of this I understand, but I have to ask: what does TDS stand for?

Regarding the MCDVs: I read that this operation is expected to last a couple of months. Are these vessels capable of being refuelled and resuppllied at sea? (or are there viable port facilities close enough at hand to negate that problem -had it arisen?)

 

[kratz]

Yes, the ships (including MCDVs) can RAS (Replenishment At Sea).

Here are some RAS photos from Combat Camera.

There are also major ports in the USA within a couple days sail if needed.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

TDS = Total Dissolved Solids.

Total Dissolved Solids (often abbreviated TDS) is a measure of the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid in molecular, ionized or micro-granular (colloidal sol) suspended form.

 

[Bass ackwards]

Thanks kratz. I was specifically asking about the MCDVs. I'd never seen anything in my searches that indicated that they had that capability.
(EDIT: from the photos you linked:
A C-7/M-16 line-throwing gun?? I've seen 12 gauge Mossbergs purpose-built for that but I've never heard of a 5.56 calibre weapon doing the job. Interesting...)

NFLD Sapper: Gotcha. Thanks for that.

 

[Stoker]

Sorry. Most of this I understand, but I have to ask: what does TDS stand for?

Regarding the MCDVs: I read that this operation is expected to last a couple of months. Are these vessels capable of being refuelled and resuppllied at sea? (or are there viable port facilities close enough at hand to negate that problem -had it arisen?)

We can get fuel from another ship while anchored but realistically that's all. We could send 3 MCDV's , have them anchored off and send mobile work parties in to help, I doubt that would happen though.

 

[Stoker]

Thanks kratz. I was specifically asking about the MCDVs. I'd never seen anything in my searches that indicated that they had that capability.

NFLD Sapper: Gotcha. Thanks for that.

We are capable to a stern to stern fueling, however as far as I know was never attempted.

 

[Bass ackwards]

We can get fuel from another ship while anchored but realistically that's all. We could send 3 MCDV's , have them anchored off and send mobile work parties in to help, I doubt that would happen though.

Can the MCDVs (or, for that matter, the "heavies") transfer fuel to smaller ships? Specifically, say, fishing vessels or other shallow(er) draft vessels that might be pressed into service as auxiliaries?

 

[Stoker]

Can the MCDVs (or, for that matter, the "heavies") transfer fuel to smaller ships? Specifically, say, fishing vessels or other shallow(er) draft vessels that might be pressed into service as auxiliaries?

Certainly, no problem.

 

[Bass ackwards]

Certainly, no problem.

To be more specific (I should have put this in the original question -sorry), they can do this via hose and pump (insert proper Navy terms here) a la the local PetroCan station -as opposed to handing over an endless string of jerry cans?

 

[Stoker]

To be more specific (I should have put this in the original question -sorry), they can do this via hose and pump (insert proper Navy terms here) a la the local PetroCan station -as opposed to handing over an endless string of jerry cans?

The only thing we are able to provide is diesel, since we have a limited quantity of gasoline aboard. All ship's have upper deck connection to receive/discharge fuel. It would be just a matter of being able to regulate the amount of diesel being pumped to the upper deck and have the appropriate connection.

 

[Bass ackwards]

OK. Thanks for the patient replies to a landlubber, Stoker.
No doubt I'll have more dumb questions tomorrow.

 

[Pat in Halifax]

Just to clarify an earlier error by someone (cannot recall who). Shipboard RODs cannot make water while alongside IAW Naval Engineering Manual. This has been argued many times with Ottawa (you know, the place with NO NAVY) to no avail. The original manufacturer (Zenon) had even stated in the past that they could be utilized alongside or in coastal outfalls with an increase in Bromine injection but the bean-counters say no.
I was CERA on HAL during that 2007 GLD someone mentioned and I was still fighting about this long after that trip was over - and why you say - This deployment is ``the`` perfect example. If 2 RODS were running (albiet working perfectly), IRO and HAL class could produce in excess of 70 tonnes a day with ships crew (with pusser showers) only needing about 10-12 of that. I would say then,  in a perfect world, these vessels should be ideally suited to this type of deployment.

 

[Stoker]

Just to clarify an earlier error by someone (cannot recall who). Shipboard RODs cannot make water while alongside IAW Naval Engineering Manual. This has been argued many times with Ottawa (you know, the place with NO NAVY) to no avail. The original manufacturer (Zenon) had even stated in the past that they could be utilized alongside or in coastal outfalls with an increase in Bromine injection but the bean-counters say no.
I was CERA on HAL during that 2007 GLD someone mentioned and I was still fighting about this long after that trip was over - and why you say - This deployment is ``the`` perfect example. If 2 RODS were running (albiet working perfectly), IRO and HAL class could produce in excess of 70 tonnes a day with ships crew (with pusser showers) only needing about 10-12 of that. I would say then,  in a perfect world, these vessels should be ideally suited to this type of deployment.

Yes NEM's is quite clear, however it also states water can be produced for consumption in those area's in an "emergency", but as a practice we don't. What could be considered an emergency your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

I think that they might waive those regulations .... mainly because the army ROWPU's are being deployed and will be used to make salt water to fresh but will produce only 25000 l /day and the maintenence of the machines have now increased by 50%. Salt water is detremental to our machines.

 

[Pat in Halifax]

Possible but unlikely - Stranger things 'have' happenned though. I will see what I can find out tomorrow. If not, it'd be a crying shame.
Back to work after 4 days off - Gonna be rough!!!

 

[Monsoon]

The ROD questions aside, the better course would probably just be to bring down a bazillion little chlorine tablets to hand out to people.

As for MCDV fueling requirements in a situation like Haiti, it would probably be easiest to have them detach once every couple of weeks to fuel by truck at an unaffected port in the Dominican Republic - which is probably what the heavies are going to do in the absence of an AOR.