UNDERWAY REPLENISHMENT NWP 4-01.4 - Historic Naval Ships ...

NWP 4-01.45.8.1.1 Tanker Characteristics and Capabilities.U.S. flag tankers presently equipped with a limitedFAS capability are listed in Figure 5-28 at the endof the chapter.5.8.1.1.1 Astern Refueling. Some U.S. flag tankersare equipped for delivering fuel by the astern method.Refer to paragraphs 5.7.3 through 5.7.6.5 for procedures.5.8.1.1.2 Alongside Refueling. For alongside refueling,tankers are equipped to receive the spanwirerig or fuel STREAM rig (see Figure 5-26). Installedequipment includes:1. Tripods and fittings mounted on the weather orplatform decks to accommodate the rig sent overby the fleet unit. On some tankers, kingposts areused in lieu of tripods.2. Quick-closing valves at cargo manifolds.3. Pipeline extensions to transfer stations.Most tankers have four discharge stations, two oneach side. (A few tankers have six stations, three oneach side.) Tankers can transfer bulk petroleum productsto fleet ships from two stations on one side and, ona few hours’ notice, can rig jumper hoses on deck tohandle double hoses at each station on one side. In mostcases, lack of manpower prevents tankers from transferringcargo from both sides at the same time. However,to expedite refueling, a tanker’s merchant marinecrew may be augmented by additional personnel priorto sailing. If additional personnel are not assigned, atanker normally cannot connect or disconnect morethan one hose at a time.5.8.1.1.3 Modular Fuel Delivery Stations. Modularfuel delivery stations, installed on selected tankers,have two port-side STREAM fuel delivery stations thatare operated in accordance with Chapter 3 procedures.5.8.1.2 Personnel Duties. A tanker’s crew variesfrom 24 to 32 personnel, depending on the ship’s designand automation. The master must ensure that hiscrew is adequately trained and prepared prior to a refuelingoperation and that all stations are manned with themost capable personnel.Along with normal sea and discharging functions,other duties include phone talking, line handling, visualcommunications, rigging/unrigging, and adequate officersupervision. The chief engineer should be located inthe machinery spaces. He should be prepared to answerbells promptly and handle any possible emergency.5.8.1.2.1 Planning. When planning replenishmentswith merchant vessels, operational limitations should beconsidered because of the small size of merchant crews.5.8.2 Communication and Rendezvous Procedures.When assigned to a replenishment operation,the tanker may be directed to rendezvous with a navalunit or the naval unit will rendezvous along the tanker’strack. To expedite rendezvous and facilitate preparationsnecessary for an efficient transfer of cargo, communicationsmust be established between the tanker andfleet unit well in advance of the scheduled rendezvous.Communication methods used by tankers for replenishmentoperations include radiotelegraph and radiotelephone,sound-powered phone, megaphone, flags,and light signals.Messages addressed to tankers must have plain languageheadings. Tankers do not hold Navy call signpublications or call sign encryption devices, and theydo not have cryptographic capability.If radio silence is prescribed, tankers will not transmitby radio except in case of distress.When weather or operations require it, the naval commandermay change the time and place of rendezvous bydirect liaison with the tanker. He may also direct the tankerto enter port to accomplish or complete the operation.5.8.2.1 Communication Plan. When a rendezvousis scheduled, the tanker shall submit a communicationplan to the fleet unit by priority message at least 72 hoursprior to rendezvous or immediately upon receipt of aconsolidation message. The communication plan willinclude:1. Primary communication guard2. Radio officer’s working hours3. Radio call sign and INMARSAT identification4. PIM5. Working frequency guarded in the MF to HFrange (for ship-to-ship communications duringthe hours stipulated by the tanker).5.8.2.1.1 Maritime Preposition Ship Communications.Each MPS squadron is capable of the full spectrumof Navy communications, but the individual shipshave unclassified record communications only. Each shipdoes have a tactical secure UHF (KY58).5-31 ORIGINAL