Principles of naval engineering - Historic Naval Ships Association

PRINCIPLES OF NAVAL ENGINEERINGrepairing structural damage, and in generalrestoring the ship to a stable and seaworthycondition. To function as a fighting unit, however,a ship must be more than stable andseaworthy— it must also be able to move. Therestoration of vital services is therefore anintegral part of damage control, even though itmust often be accomplished after fires andflooding have been controlled.The restoration of vital services includesmaking repairs to machinery and piping systemsand reestablishing a source of electrical power.The casualty power system, developed as aresult of war experience, has proved to be oneof the most important damage control devices.The casualty power system is a simple electricaldistribution system used to maintain asource of electrical supply for the most vitalmachinery. It is used to supply power only inemergencies. The casualty power system isdiscussed in chapter 20 of this text.DEFENSE AGAINST NBC ATTACKThe basic guidelines for defensive and protectiveactions to be taken in the event of nuclear,biological, or chemical (NBC) attack areset forth in the Nuclear, Biological, and ChemicalDefense Bill contained in Shipboard Procedures, NWP 50 (effective edition). Aboard ship,the engineer officer is responsible for maintainingthis bill and ensuring that it is currentand ready for immediate execution.NBC defense measures may be divided intotwo phases: (1) preparatory measures taken inanticipation of attack, and (2) active measurestaken immediately following an attack.Preparatory measures to be taken beforean attack include the following:1. Thorough indoctrination and training ofship's force.2. Removal of material that may constitutecontamination hazards.3. Masking of personnel who maybe exposed(and of other personnel, as ordered).4. Establishment of ship closure, includingclosing of CIRCLE WILLIAM fittings.5. Donning of protective clothing by exposedpersonnel, as ordered.6. Evasive action by the ship.7. Activation of water washdown systems.Active measures to be taken immediatelyfollowing an attack include the following:1. Evasive and self-protective action bypersonnel.2. Evacuation and remanning of exposed stations,as ordered.3. Decontamination of personnel.4. Detection and prediction of contaminatedareas.5. Ventilation of contaminated spaces, assoon as the ship is in a clean atmosphere.It is obvious that NBC defense is an enormouslycomplex and wide-ranging subject, andone in whicii policies and procedures are subjectto constant change. The present discussionis limited to a few aspects of NBC defense thatare of primary practical importance aboardship. More detailed information on all aspectsNBC defense may be obtained from chaptersof9770 and 9900 of the Naval Ships TechnicalManual and from Disaster Control (Ashore andAfloat), NavPers 10899-B.PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGThere are three types of clothing that areuseful in NBC defense: permeable, impregnated,protective clothing, foul weather clothing, andordinary work clothing.Permeable protective clothing is supplied toships in quantities sufficient to outfit 25 percentor more of the ship's compliment. Permeableclothing is olive green in color. A completeoutfit includes impregnated socks, gloves,trousers with attached suspenders, and jumper(parka) with attached hood. Permeable clothingis treated with a chemical agent that neutralizeschemical agents; a chlorinated paraffin is usedas a binder. The presence of these chemicalsgives the permeable clothing a slight odor ofchlorine and a slightly greasy or clammy feel.It is believed that the impregnation treatmentshould remain effective from 5 to 10 years (orpossibly longer) if the clothing is stowed inunopened containers in a dry place with cool orwarm temperatures and if it is protected fromsunlight or daylight.Permeable protective clothing should not beworn longer than necessary, especially in hotweather; prolonged wearing may cause a rashto develop where the skin comes in contact withthe impregnated material.Foul weather clothing of stock issue servesto protect ordinary clothing and the skin againstpenetration by liquid chemical agents and radioactiveparticles. It also reduces the amount ofvapor that penetrates to the skin. Foul weather74