JP 4-01.5 JTTP for Water Terminal Operations - BITS

CHAPTER III
WATER TERMINAL OPERATIONS EXECUTION
“We speak glibly of ‘sea power’ and forget that its true value lies in its influence
on the operations of armies. . .”
SECTION A. OCEAN
TRANSPORT RECEPTION
1. General
Strategic sealift is the principal means of
delivering equipment and logistic support for
land, air, and sea forces in a major conflict.
Water terminal operations could include MSC
common-user ships, maritime prepositioning
ships (MPS) capable of over-the-shore and
port operations from anchorage, multipurpose
ships, and other ships that may be chartered
or provided by HNS as required. This chapter
addresses elements essential to the reception
of strategic sealift ships and the handling and
onward movement of cargo.
2. Overseas Resources
Key to planning the reception of sealift
assets is an understanding of the theater’s
reception and onward movement capabilities.
Knowing the true capabilities of ports of
embarkation and the resources available
within the theater to provide harbor
support for the arriving ships is critical.
There are three sources of lighterage and
watercraft resources in an overseas area.
The first are military assets assigned to the
combatant commander for common
transportation service. Army harbor support
vessels (i.e., tugs and landing craft such as
Logistic Support Vessels) are prime examples
(see Appendix A, “Terminal Units”). The
second is HNS negotiated through bilateral
or multilateral agreements. Under HN
agreements, a nation may either accept
responsibility for a particular function within
Sir Julian Corbett
The Successors of Drake, 1900
its borders (e.g., water terminal cargo
clearance), or it may designate civilian
resources to be used under military control.
The third source is commercial hire or
charter service from a third nation.
3. Assigning Berths and
Anchorages
A combination of factors will dictate where
a ship is berthed or anchored at a given water
terminal.
a. Oceanographic Conditions. Harbor
channel depth and width, currents, tidal
fluctuations, prevailing winds, sea states, and
seasonal storms contribute to assignment of
berths and anchorages.
b. Cargo Types. The type or category of
cargo (e.g., container, RO/RO, breakbulk,
special commodity [ammunition], bulk fuel)
will dictate berths at existing terminals.
c. Routing Scheme. The routing scheme
is the plan by which ships are scheduled
through the terminal. The terminal throughput
capacity, ship type, and quantity and priority
of the cargo will determine the routing scheme
developed by the terminal commander.
d. Anchorages. MSC or Navy
representatives, if available, will advise on
anchorage areas and the naval support
required. If the naval representative has
indicated that the anchorage areas are
acceptable, an examination must determine
if lighterage can traverse between anchorage
areas. Sandbars, reefs, and other underwater
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