Arctic West Summer 2007 USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20 - Icefloe.net

180 Pages·2008·4.12 MB·English

Arctic West Summer
2007

USCGC HEALY (WAGB-20)
03 Apr – 30 Sept 2007
Cruise Report
Front Cover: HEALY conducts flight operations off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska, as seen
by the aircrew of an HH-60J medium-range helicopter.
H;';3,3lXtTl**@CommandingO fficer '1519A laskanW ayS outh
usccc HEALY(W AGB-2o) SeattleW, A 98134
Phone:( 206)2 17-6300
8lr'#o'"'ll/l8* Fax [phone]
16155
17M ar 2008
HEALY (WAGB-2O)
To: CG PACAREA
Subj: ARCTICW ESTS UMMER2 OO7C RUISER EPORT
Ref: (a) PolarI cebreakeCr ruiseR eportsC, OMDTINST1 6155.28
1. This reporti s submittedin accordancwe ith reference(a ) andc overst he periodf rom 03 April
2007t o 30 September2007.
2. HEALY completedth reem issionst o supportA rctic researchd uringt he Arctic West Summer
2007( AWS-07)d eployment.T he first mission,H LY 07-01,w asc onductedin supporto f the
BeringE cosysternS tudy,o r B-E-S-T. Scientificr esearcho bjectivesfo r the missioni ncluded
charactenzatioonf ice; hydrographica ndn utrienta nalysiso f ice-edgea ndi ce-freer egions;
planktoni dentification;a ndt rackingo f nutrientl evels. HEALY operatedfo r 32 daysi n the
centralB ering Seaa nd the areab oundedb y the InternationaDl ate Line, St. LawrenceI sland,
Nunivak Islanda ndt he Pribilof Islandsv, isiting a total of 216s tations.T he embarkedc ivilian
helicopterp rovidedi ce reconnaissancaes, sisteds cientistsin conductingm arinem ammal
surveysa, nde nabledn umerousp assengetrra nsfersto -and-fromn earbyis landc ommunities.
HEALY's secondm ission,H LY 07-02,c ontinueda long-term( 1950-presenat)s sessmenotf deep
seab enthosin the BeringS ea. Scientistsp erformedn umerouso ver-the-sidee volutions,
includingV an Veeng rabs,b ottomt rawls,H APSc ores,C TD castsa, ndp lanktonn et tows. The
third andf inal missiono f the 2007d eploymenHt, LY 07-03,c ompriseda detailedg eophysical
surveyo f the seafloorn orth of Barrow,A K. To facilitatem appingo f specificb enthicf eatures,
scientistsp rovidedt racklinesf or the Officero f the Deck (OOD)o n the Bridget o follow, or
positionedt he cursoro n HEALY's SeaBeamd isplaya nda skedt he OOD to proceedto wardt he
cursor. After a last liberty-sto_p_JuTn eauA, K anda cruiset hrousht he scenicI npideP assage
with nearlyf ifty guestsf,i ERiy retumedh omet o ISC Seattleo riSeptembe3r 01.
3. In additiont o her assigneds cientificm issionsH, EALY successfullcyo mpletedth e Tailored
Annual CutterT raining( TACT) assessmeinnt mid-July. Althoughn ot awardedth e CoastG uard
"E"
ribbon,H EALY personneel xhibiteda high level oloperationalr eadinessa ndr esponded
well to simulatede ngineeringn, avigationa, ndp ersonnecl asualties.
4. During Arctic West Summer2 007,H EALY transitedm oret han2 5,000n m, providinggT
dayso f scientifics upport.A ll threem issionsm et or exceedepdr e-determinerde searchg oals,
andi n manyc asesy ieldeds ignificantlymored atat hans cientistsh adh opedf or. With each
Arctic deploymentH, EALY continuesto demonstrathee r capabilitiesa st he nation'sp remier
polar scientifci platform.
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USCGC Healy 2007
80˚
Barrow
70˚
Nome
60˚
Kodiak
Prince
Rupert
Dutch
Harbor
50˚
Seattle
40˚
-190˚ -180˚ -170˚ -160˚ -150˚ -140˚ -130˚ -120˚ -110˚
HLY-07-01 (Sambrotto)
Mercator (1:57500000) Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University HLY-07-02 (Grebmeier)
HLY-07-03 (Mayer)
Transit
Table of Contents
I. Ship Operations...........................................................................................................8
A. Vessel Operations................................................................................................8
B. Deck Operations.................................................................................................16
C. Diving Operations..............................................................................................19
II. Air Operations...........................................................................................................20
III. Navigation.................................................................................................................31
IV. Communications and Electronics.............................................................................38
V. Science......................................................................................................................41
VI. Engineering...............................................................................................................59
A. General Report...................................................................................................59
B. Main Propulsion Division Summary.................................................................71
C. Auxiliary Division Summary.............................................................................73
D. Electrical Division Summary.............................................................................77
E. Electronics Division Summary..........................................................................79
F. Damage Control Division Summary..................................................................81
G. Fueling Summary...............................................................................................85
VII. Administration..........................................................................................................86
VIII. Morale.......................................................................................................................96
IX. Supply/Logistics.....................................................................................................101
X. Exchange/Ship’s Store............................................................................................104
XI. Medical...................................................................................................................108
XII. Public Relations......................................................................................................112

List of Tables
Table 1. Arctic West Summer 2007 (AWS-07) Schedule............................................8
Table 2. Inside Passage Plan.......................................................................................15
Table 3. Helicopter Stats for HLY 07-01 Mission......................................................23
Table 4. Outstanding CASREPs as of 27 February 2007...........................................62
Table 5. CASREPs Submitted During Seattle-Dutch Harbor Transit........................62
Table 6. CASREPs Submitted During AWS 07-01....................................................63
Table 7. CASREP Submitted During Dutch Harbor Transit......................................65
Table 8. CASREPs Submitted During AWS 07-02....................................................65
Table 9. CASREPs Submitted During TACT and Mid-Patrol Break.........................67
Table 10. CASREPs Submitted During Transit from Seattle to Barrow......................68
Table 11. CASREPs Submitted During AWS 07-03....................................................69
Table 12. CASREPs Submitted During Transit from Barrow to Seattle......................71
Table 13. Summary of Fueling Data for AWS-07 Deployment...................................85

List of Appendices
Appendix 1. Final TACT Schedule
Appendix 2. Helicopter Operations with Air Station Port Angeles on 6 August 2007
Appendix 3. AWS-08-03 Load Plan
Appendix 4. HARPS Recovery Plan
Appendix 5. HARPS Deployment Plan
Appendix 6. Plan for Ice Buoy Deployment via Man-Cage
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Appendix 7. AWS-08-03 Offload Plan
Appendix 8. Helicopter Operations with Airsta Kodiak on 21-22 September 2007
Appendix 9. Patrol Summary Message (PATSUM)
Appendix 10. Arctic West Summer 2007 Track History
Appendix 11. Pribilof Islands Deployment Plan
Appendix 12. Loading Documentation for the 90-Ton Crane Lifting the 25,000-lb
Radiation (Rad) Van
Appendix 13. Press Releases for AWS 07-03 Deployment
Appendix 14. AWS 07-02 Helicopter Operations Statistics
7
I. Ship Operations

A. Vessel Operations

Cruise planning for the AWS-07 deployment began in October 2006 during HEALY's
annual fall/winter maintenance period. By November 2006, the National Science
Foundation (NSF) had identified the assigned missions with appropriate timeframes. In
early December 2006, HEALY hosted ship visits for prospective Chief Scientists to tour
science spaces, meet face-to-face with their counterparts, and fine tune the calendar days
during which Science Party members would embark/disembark or their equipment would
be loaded/unloaded. The AWS-07 schedule was set forth as follows in table 1.

Table 1. Arctic West Summer 2007 (AWS-07) Schedule
03 Apr Depart Homeport Seattle en route Dutch Harbor
10 Apr - 12 May AWS 07-01 (33-Day Sambrotto "B-E-S-T" Biological)
12 May - 16 May 4-Day Dutch Harbor Port Call; Swap parties, fuel, load stores
16 May - 18 Jun AWS 07-02 (34-Day Grebmeier Benthic Predators Study)
20 Jun - 25 Jun Transit Dutch Harbor to Seattle
25 Jun - 06 Aug Crew rest, maintenance and training in Seattle & Everett
06 Aug Depart Homeport Seattle en route Barrow
17 Aug - 15 Sep AWS 07-03 (30-Day Mayer Bottom Mapping)
23 Sep - 26 Sep 3-Day Juneau Port Call
30 Sep Return to Seattle, Conclude AWS-07

In late February 2007, HEALY completed extensive dry-dock maintenance and got
underway for a four-day engine trial to test the propulsion plant upgrade. A shake-down
cruise was completed between 8 and 16 March, and included an evaluation of ship's
general operations, emergency drills and exercises, and science systems. During the
cruise, personnel from U.S. Navy Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest (ATG
PACNORWEST) conducted a Readiness for Operations (RFO) inspection as part of the
previous year’s post-MISHAP investigation actions. All requirements for the RFO
evaluation were completed successfully.

AWS 07-01 (33-Day NSF Sambrotto "B-E-S-T" Biological), 10 April – 12 May

The Phase I Science Party embarked HEALY in Dutch Harbor, AK, as did the single
civilian Maritime Helicopters Bell 206L3 "Long Ranger III" helicopter; tail number
N306MH, call sign "Six Mike Hotel." Accompanying “Six Mike Hotel” was her support
contingent, which included 1 AMD Manager, 1 Pilot, and 1 Mechanic. During this
science phase, HEALY operated in the central Bering Sea in the area bounded by the
International Date Line, St. Lawrence Island, Nunivak Island and the Pribilof Islands.
Science objectives included characterization of ice; hydrographic and nutrient analysis of
ice-edge and ice-free regions at the end of winter; identification of zooplankton and
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meroplankton; and tracking of iron distribution, isotopic distribution, and nitrogen
productivity.

HEALY visited 216 stations in 32 days and dipped sample/data collection devices 433
times, including 238 CTDs, 113 plankton net tows, 52 multi-cores and 30 iron casts.
Four current-measuring drifters were also deployed. Helicopter "Six Mike Hotel"
engaged in 42 sorties during 19 flying days and logged 69.1 airborne hours, 126
passengers transferred, and 5,707 miles observed. The helicopter availability rating was
100%.

The embarked NOAA Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) team deployed 3 times, and
tagged and released 3 seals. The NMML team was outfitted with three Zodiac outboard
motor-fitted small boats, which were stowed on hand-pulled trailers in the hangar and
deployed using HEALY’s 04 deck cranes. Team members embarked the boats from the
01 deck port Quarterdeck pilot ladder. NMML personnel also deployed to the ice via
man-basket and brow as necessitated by ice terrain, seal location, and other
environmental conditions. The NMML team was the primary user of the helicopter, and
logged 5,707 nautical track miles of seal observations. On-ice parties were deployed 7
times via man-basket or brow to collect ice cores and to sample the water beneath the ice.
Community outreach programs were conducted with the towns of St. George and St. Paul
in the Pribilof Islands. Transport to St. George Island was provided via HEALY RHIB,
and transport to St. Paul was affected via helicopter. Science Party members and
HEALY's Marine Science Officer (MSO) were transported to the islands, and members
of each community were hosted aboard HEALY for tours and dinner.

AWS 07-02 (34-Day NSF Grebmeier Benthic Predators Study), 16 May – 18 June

During the course of Phase 2, HEALY continued a long-term (1950 - present) assessment
of benthos in the Bering Sea near Saint Lawrence Island. A similar mission was
conducted as part of AWS-06, and principals Jackie Grebmeier, Jim Lovvorn, and Lee
Cooper all returned to HEALY to continue their research this year. All mission
objectives were exceeded during Phase 2 as a result of the efficient work of the MSTs
and scientists. In all, 172 stations were visited, 54 more than originally planned.

Dutch Harbor – Seattle, 20 June – 26 June

During the transit from Dutch Harbor to Seattle, HEALY embarked a team of ATG
personnel to conduct a Command Assessment of Readiness for Training (CART). This
evaluation was a prerequisite to the training event scheduled for July 2007. Like typical
training cycles, the CART focused on engineering casualty control; use of general
damage control techniques; medical response to personnel injuries and mass casualties;
small boat operations; precision navigation; anchoring; low visibility piloting; and
response to navigation system failures.

9
Tailored Annual Cutter Training (TACT), 17 July – 27 July

From 17 to 26 July, HEALY hosted a third team of ATG riders to conduct a Tailored
Annual Cutter Training (TACT) assessment. Although this mission was originally
scheduled to occur at Naval Station Everett, coordination between HEALY’s Training
Officer and the ATG Liaison produced a schedule whereby HEALY was able to remain
in the Seattle.

Successful completion of TACT resulted largely from an enthusiastic effort by the crew,
as well as the work of the Training Officer, who served as ATG’s single point of contact
for drill coordination and schedule revision. By assessing the planned events after both
successful and failed drills, the Training Officer updated the TACT schedule
continuously and ensured that all requirements were met without conducting redundant
drills. The final TACT schedule is provided as appendix (1). It is recommended that
future CART/TACT cycles onboard HEALY follow a similar course of action.

A tertiary outcome of the TACT process was the identification of optimal drills and
exercises to be conducted onboard HEALY by her own crew and the ATG staff in the
future. This analysis eventually led to recommended changes to the frequency, number,
and type of drills and training required onboard HEALY. Many changes have already
been incorporated into the latest Cutter Training and Qualification Manual (CTQM)
references. In addition to evaluating HEALY’s permanent crew, TACT facilitated the
indoctrination/training of Coast Guard Academy cadets and Officers-in-Training, U.S.
Navy Officer Candidates and Reserve Officers-in-Training, and members from several
other operational and support commands throughout the Coast Guard.

After completion of the final TACT “battle problem” on 26 July, HEALY proceeded to
the Manchester Fuel Depot to take on fuel. After mooring that afternoon, the ship
commenced fueling shortly after sunrise on 27 July. HEALY returned to Pier 36 after
fueling to begin stand-down prior to departing for AWS 07-03.

Seattle – Barrow, 6 August – 17 August

The eleven-day transit from Seattle to Barrow, AK began with scheduled flight
operations with Air Station Port Angeles. While the initial schedule included both day
and night Deck Landing Qualifications (DLQ), nighttime operations were cancelled due
to a lack of qualified pilots. This change, coupled with HEALY’s flight deck
certification and qualification needs, led to scheduled operations with Air Station Kodiak
during the later transit from Barrow to Juneau, AK. The final schedule for flight
operations after departing Seattle on August 6th is contained in appendix (2). Future
planning of HH-65 landings should use a 3-minute interval for touch-and-go landings and
a 6-minute interval for landings with primary tie-downs.

As a routine procedure, the trackline from Buoy ‘J’ to Albatross Bank was diverted
slightly to map several unique bottom features and ultimately increase the SeaBeam data
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