Engineering - Royal Australian Navy

Naval Engineering Bulletin • June 2001
Immediate Use Emergency Escape Device - The Fleet NBCD
Officer has highlighted Occupational Health & Safety
(OH&S) concerns with the Emergency Life Safety Respirator
Device (ELSRD) from Damage Control (DC) Rovers who
are required to carry it for the duration of a DC incident.
Consequently the Shipsafe Board directed that WD identify
a suitable replacement personal escape device. This has
resulted in an Invitation to Register Interest (ITR) to be released
to industry and WD expects to go to trial by early
May 01.
Breathing Apparatus Communications Device - In combination
with the BA replacement, suitable communications
devices are being sought. These items will be either an individual
attached device or more likely incorporated into
the BA. RANSSSS has recently trialed re-configured Bone
Microphones, with favourable results however, this is being
held in abeyance until supportability issues are resolved
with the Maxon radio.
Portable Gas Detection Equipment (PGDE) - Due to deficiencies
of the current in-service GX91 and HS91A PGDEs,
age, cost, and recent advances in technology, WD has initiated
a trial on alternatives. Four manufacturing companies
have been identified and are requested to supply the RAN
with a sample kit for a proposed trial.
About the Author
As a Recruit AVN CPO Young joined HMAS CERBERUS on
the 22 Jul 1980, and his first sea posting was to HMAS MEL-
BOURNE on the 11 Jan 1981, where he remained until October
1983. A posting to the Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association,
at Rushcutters Bay was followed by a further posting to
HMAS PENGUIN; as an ambulance driver. A promotion and
posting to HMAS CERBERUS Fire Section in 1987, coincided
with the Seamanship Category Rationalisation Survey (SCRS)
which presented him with the opportunity to change career.
After completing the RAN Basic Firefighter’s course, in 1990,
he volunteered for a posting to HMAS WATERHEN. In 1992
another promotion saw him back at CERBERUS, as an instructor
at the School of Survivability and Ships Safety, and
while there he was nominated for Exercise Longlook; on exchange
to the Royal Navy. In 1995 he was the Airmovements
Officer at HMAS ALBATROSS. Post SCRS saw another career
change, and as a newly trained Petty Officer Boatswains Mate,
he was posted to HMAS NEWCASTLE where he spent twelve
months consolidating his newly acquired skills. In 1998 he
was posted to Maritime Headquarters Warfare Division (WD)
as the Assistant Staff Officer Fire Fighting (ASOFF) and was
subsequently promoted.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for FM200/NAFS3 By-
Products - The Shipsafe Board has previously directed WD
to identify and investigate suitable PPE for use in a toxic
vapour environment. The identification of a suitable suit is
complete and will be trialed by the Fleet NBCD Officer.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for its use will be
developed in progression of the trial.
Standardisation of Fleet Firefighting Equipment and Fittings
- A standardisation program of all Major Fleets Unit’s (MFU)
fire nozzles, hoses and couplings is in progress. Consequential,
the Fleet will be fitted with STORTZ fittings and couplings
and ELKHART nozzles.
Electric Powered DC Fans - With the introduction of water
powered fans, and the Red-Devil type fans being made obsolete,
a requirement for an electric fan has arisen. This is
due to that suitable firemain may not always be available.
An alternative has been identified and a technical investigation
is being conducted on suitability.
Standardised Emergency Escape Signs - A WD investigation
has identified that ships have local purchased emergency
escape signs, which are of varying configuration. This
is despite guidance contained within ABR 5476 Vol 1. WD
has proposed to adopt a standard ‘photoluminescent’ sign
that complies more closely with the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS) regulations.
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