January 2008 Rappahannock saves day for mine countermeasures ships
By Edward Baxter
SEALOGFE Public Affairs
USS Guardian and USS Patriot
Mine countermeasures ships USS Guardian and USS Patriot line up to begin refueling from the stern of Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (not shown).
U.S. Navy photo
With low tanks in international waters, mine countermeasures ships USS Patriot and USS Guardian, planned a brief stop to take on fuel in Hong Kong. Just as important, the ships also sought refuge from an approaching typhoon.
Neither happened on Nov. 20, however, when the People's Republic of China refused to grant Patriot or Guardian permission to enter Hong Kong's harbor. The following day, China turned away aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk and its supporting ships.
The decision by China to refuse diplomatic clearance to the U.S. Navy ships over the Thanksgiving holiday took U.S. officials by surprise. U.S. Navy ship visits to Hong Kong are common with more than 50 such port calls every year.
With low fuel levels, Patriot and Guardian were in limbo. Fortunately, Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock was nearby, having just completed an underway replenishment operation with the Kitty Hawk strike group.
"The weather and sea conditions in the area were rough and getting worse," said Rappahannock's civil service master Capt. Robert Seabrook. "We were en route to our reload port of Sasebo, Japan, when we received emergent orders to turn around in seas near our limits and head for the minesweepers. Our direction was to do whatever it took to refuel them."
The 677-foot, 41,000-ton Rappahannock steamed 275 nautical miles at best speed and rendezvoused with the minesweepers on Thanksgiving Day. With eight- to 10-foot seas and 35-knot winds, Patriot lined up in column formation behind Guardian. The decision was made to conduct an astern refueling operation due to the heavy weather and because the 224-foot minesweepers are so much smaller and slower than Rappahannock. Astern refueling required the ships to approach within 200 feet of the replenishment ship's stern.
Rappahannock maneuvered to station in front of the minesweepers in a technique known as a ‘delivery boy' approach. The oiler's crew placed a fuel hose into the water over the ship's stern from the flight deck. The hose floated on the surface, and the receiving ship's crew recovered and connected it to the fuel ‘riser' on their bows.
Each mine countermeasures ship received more than 300 barrels of fuel from Rappahannock. "The weather was ferocious, but the ship handling by the MCMs (mine countermeasures ships) was exceptional," Seabrook said. "We practice astern refueling procedures with MCMs frequently, and it sure paid off on Thanksgiving Day. I've never seen it performed better."
Rappahannock's Boatswain Angel Ortiz, Cargo Boatswain Danilo Santiago and Boatswain's Mates Robert Melendez and John Springfield directed the safe deployment of the gear as Rappahannock took station in front of Guardian and Patriot. Cargo Officer Andrea Liebl maintained a close eye as safety officer while coordinating the transfer of fuel together with Cargo Engineer Rick Rhoades.
After the refueling operation, both minesweepers were able to ride out the storm without damage or injuries while making way for homeport.
"This was a great Thanksgiving delivery today ... and just in the nick of time," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Steve Moss, USS Guardian's commanding officer.
Rappahannock began its voyage back to Sasebo — transiting the Taiwan Straits in company with the USS Kitty Hawk strike group.
"It is always reassuring to have the great ships of MSC by our side," said Kitty Hawk's commanding officer Navy Capt. T.A. Zecchin.
Rappahannock arrived at Sasebo on Nov. 25, for a quick turn around reload of her cargo tanks and to take on provisions.
As Rappahannock sailed past Sasebo's Kogo Saki lighthouse, Nov. 28, en route for new logistical support missions, the oiler passed the two MCMs as they entered Sasebo's port.
"The crew felt a sense of deep satisfaction knowing we had played a vital role in making sure these crews returned to their families safely for the Christmas holiday season," Seabrook said. "In the ancient tradition of the sea, we will always be ready to aid fellow mariners in need, regardless of the flags they fly."
