VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
12044 PROTECTION
In the absence of any means of detection, protective measures must be based on meeting any possible
attack fully prepared. When intelligence indicates the existence of a biological warfare threat, respiratory
protection should be adopted by collective or individual means. It is recommended that all ships
should close down to the maximum extent, in the same way as for a chemical or nuclear threat, and that respirators
should be worn continuously by all exposed personnel.
12045 HYGIENE
While the primary aim of biological attack is to infect target personnel individually, infections
caused by some biological warfare agents can be transmitted from person to person. Therefore, the maintenance
of high standards of personal and communal hygiene is important. When it is suspected that an attack
has occurred, strict personal hygiene should be observed, only well-cooked or canned food should be
eaten, and only properly packaged medical supplies used. (See AMedP 6 and STANAG 2500.)
12046 DECONTAMINATION
Overall decontamination will not be required after an actual or suggested attack although the use of
intermittent prewetting washdown is recommended. Contaminated clothing and spaces should be dealt
with in accordance with national instructions. If decontamination has to be undertaken on spaces such as
the sick bay, cleansing station, and galley, formalin and hypochlorite are effective wide-spectrum germicides.
Personnel cleansing is similar to that used for any other kind of contamination.
12047 GENERAL TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
In planning biological warfare defense measures, the following should be taken into account:
a. The reduction in effectiveness of biological warfare agents caused by heat and light means that
the most likely time of attack will be during night hours when wind conditions are favorable. When it is addressed
that there is a threat of biological warfare attack, OTCs should endeavor to ensure that personnel
are protected particularly during the hours of darkness.
b. There is no developed biological warfare defense doctrine, therefore procedures for defense
against chemical warfare agents should be utilized.
12050 CHEMICAL WARFARE
a. From the outset of conventional warfare, it must be assumed that chemical weapons could be
used against NATO naval forces. They could be used simultaneously with conventional weapons. The
possibility of covert chemical attack prior to commencement of general hostilities cannot be discounted.
The effects of chemical attack will vary widely depending on the agent used, its method of delivery, and
meteorological conditions.
b. Chemical weapons are most effective against unprotected personnel.
c. One of the advantages of chemical weapons is that they cause the defender to wear protective
clothing, thereby increasing his stress factor and reducing his efficiency. These effects can also be caused
by the mere threat of attack unless the defender has adequate and reliable protective devices. Therefore, it
is imperative that collective protection be used to full effect to allow maximum possible relaxation of NBC
personnel under threat conditions and after an attack.
12-11 ORIGINAL