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    Grapple deploys to Africa

    USNS Grapple deploys to Africa

    Photo By Bill Mesta | VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (February 29, 2016) Military Sealift Command's USNS Grapple...... read more read more

    VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

    02.29.2016

    Story by Bill Mesta 

    USN Military Sealift Command

    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Military Sealift Command’s USNS Grapple (T-ARS 53) departed from Joint Base Little Creek to begin a deployment in support of U.S. Navy and allied operation in the 6th Fleet’s area of operation.

    With a crew of approximately 45 U.S. Navy Divers and Civil Service Mariners, the Grapple is primarily going to provided dive salvage services in support of emergent situations such as requests to salvage and recover ships and aircraft, clear harbors and tow vessels.

    “Our primary mission will be to work with our Africa partners,” said Master Diver Daniel Laube of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO (MDSU 2). “We will be training with them on how to further their diving programs. “It is not going to be an easy deployment, but I am confident everything will get done. ”

    “When we are conducting diving operations, the Navy Divers are responsible for salvaging things that go down such as ships, aircraft and small boats,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chad Miller, the Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 Company Commander. “We are also responsible for providing diving training with our partner countries in Africa.”

    The MDSU Navy Divers deployed on board USNS Grapple are capable of performing a variety of missions to include Underwater Construction and demolition projects, search and rescue missions, and provide support for military and civilian law enforcement agencies.

    The USNS Grapple is specially designed to support diving and salvage operations at sea.

    “Should there be an aircraft or a vessel which sinks, we arrive on scene and rescue the pilots and crew,” said Capt. Curtis Smith, USNS Grapple’s master. “We also are capable of recovering pieces of debris from the both the oceans’ surface and sub-surface of the sea.”

    “We are planning on working with several countries in Africa,” said Smith. “We are planning on spending time in Morocco, Algeria, the Ivory Coast and many additional African ports working to enhance and improve the practices of our African partners.”

    The Civil Service Mariners who crew USNS Grapple will be critical to ensure the deployment is a success.

    Much of the Grapples crew has deployed multiple times while for some this will be their first deployment.

    “The Grapple’s deployment is very important because with a small crew of Civil Service Mariners and Navy Divers on board is will be easier for us to make an impact in some of the smaller countries we plan of working with,” added Smith. “Our footprint is much smaller than an aircraft carrier or a destroyer where there are many people arriving in a port so it is easier for us to assimilate with local residents.”

    The Civil Service Mariners who crew USNS Grapple will be critical to ensure the deployment is a success.

    “The crew of the USNS Grapple is phenomenal, “said Smith. “The leadership did a great job making sure everyone was trained and that we had all the stores and repair parts we would need to be ready to go.”

    “The civil service mariners operate the Grapple,” added Smith. “The engineers provide hotel services such as electricity, water, heat and air-conditioning. The mariners maintain the engine running gear, bow thruster and top-side equipment.”

    “The mariners from our Deck department stand watches in the wheel house. They steer the ship and avoid heavy seas, “added Smith. “Our Steward department operates the ship’s galley and the berthing services on board as well.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.29.2016
    Date Posted: 03.01.2016 11:12
    Story ID: 190647
    Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US

    Web Views: 141
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN