55109 BUOY DECK OPERATIONS JOB AID

Drafted by BMCS Scott Ehrich January 8, 2004

1. This is set up as a basic guide for buoy operations aboard 55109. All standard safety practices must be followed. 2. The following equipment is required to be on deck or close by during operations.

a. Buoy deck bucket with gear per checklist. b. Buoy lifting sling 12’ (endless). c. Chain stopper and all pins/keepers. d. ½” wire rope snatch block placed on STBD side. e. Reeving tool and line. f. 22’ strap for setting sinker in v-notch. g. Bolt cutters. h. Chain hooks. i. Tag lines. j. Buoy scrapper.

3. All Buoy deck workers must wear the following safety equipment and will remove any jewelry.

a. Hardhat with chinstrap. b. Safety glasses. c. Steel toed boots. d. Gloves. e. PFD. f. Have a sharp knife.

4. Positions during operation.

a. COXN: Over all in charge, con boat and act as safety observer. b. Buoy Deck Supervisor (BDS): In charge on deck, directs riggers and crane

operator. Keeps COXN informed of how chain is tending and what direction to move boat.

c. Crane Operator: Follows BDS hand signals to operate crane. Acts as secondary safety observer and takes direction from the COXN when needed.

d. Riggers (2): Both take direction from the BDS, one maintains control over hook (hook man) other works chain stopper/buoy/chain (corner man) during mooring recovery. 5. Prior to the beginning of the days work an inspection of rigging gear will be completed per the rigging equipment inspection sheet by the BDS. Any discrepancies found will be passed to the COXN who will make the final decision on what action will be taken. The check sheet will be turned in to the 1st LT and maintained per the unit-rigging log. 6. During the inspection all station gear will be laid out and the deck made ready to work buoys.

a. The snatch block will be placed on the STBD side aft of the cross deck. The cross deck will be fairleeded threw the block and run out to the chain stopper.

b. The reeving tool and line will be laid out on the PORT side with the line hooked in to the tool and 12’ endless sling.

c. Buoy bucket will be placed in the crane well fwd of the towing bit. d. Tag lines will be on deck with on attached to the main and another ready for

pulling chain. e. The buoy scraper will be set on the PORT side next to the crane pedestal for easy

reach of the rigger. f. The buoy tail gripe will be attached to the aft STBD side mooring bit and

extended. g. Bolt cutters will be on deck, out of the way.

7. The following is the basic steps that will be followed while recovering a buoy and mooring.

a. Once buoy deck is ready this will be passed to the COXN. The COXN will make preps for getting a found position on the buoy either at the v-notch or at the bow.

b. Once position is found the COXN will maneuver the boat to place the buoy in the v-notch than give the BDS permission to hook the buoy.

c. On BDS command the Corner man reeves the lifting sling threw the buoy lifting bail, makes a basket and attaches it to the lifting hook. Hook man mouses hook.

d. BDS lifts buoy so hull is about 1 to 2’ above the roll deck (centered above chain stopper). On BDS command, Corner man scraps buoy clean.

e. BDS positions buoy to STBD so buoy tube is centered between chain stopper and chain guide pipe, boom should be topped up and buoy hull should be resting on roll deck.

f. During this process Corner man shifts to STBD and stands by with the cross deck hook. On BDS command Corner man attaches cross deck to buoy lifting bail and yells “HOOKED”.

g. Once attached Corner man shifts back to PORT, Hook man also shifts to PORT maintaining positive control of hook tag line.

h. BDS moves buoy up and fwd on STBD side (swing boom and halls in on STBD cross deck, lower main as needed). Buoy shall stay low and tub shall maintain contact with the deck and come across between the chain stopper and chain guide pipe. This is done to ensure the chain is reachable by the Corner man to place in the chain stopper.

i. Once buoy is on deck, BDS directs the Corner man (using a chain hook) to place the chain in the stopper and set it with a hammer yelling “SET”.

j. On BDS command the Corner man disconnects the mooring from the buoy and gripes the buoy tub.

k. BDS lowers main, Riggers disconnect hook from strap (BDS/Crane op ensure cross deck is synched up, cross deck acts as head gripe.) Riggers remove buoy hook and attach chain-pulling hook (nipper chain).

l. BDS positions crane for pulling chain (centered over chain stopper). Riggers attach tag line to end of chain and on BDS command attach hook to mooring. BDS request permission from COXN to pull chain. Once given BDS will winch main up and top up crane (chain should be centered over chain stopper).

m. Corner man stands by with chain hook and hammer. Once mooring is topped up BDS will start to lower and Corner man will guide chain in to stopper using chain hook and than set with hammer, yelling “SET”.

n. NOTE – on last pull BDS may have to lower crane to ensure sinker does not fetch up on v-notch or chain guard.

o. This process will continue until the sinker is at the waters edge (This will be passed to the COXN by the BDS), once at waters edge sinker may be brought on deck or set in the stopper for resetting if chain and sinker shackle look good (chafe section on deck).

p. BDS secures hook to deck fitting using line. q. BDS and Riggers inspect Mooring and buoy, replace need items. r. The following pictures show basic operation

8. The following is the basic steps for setting up the deck for resetting the buoy and mooring. The same deck positions are used when hooking up and positioning the buoy for resetting.

a. Once all mooring appendages have been inspected and needed gear replaced the BDS will request permission from the COXN to hook and hang the sinker.

b. Once the mooring is shackled to the sinker the sinker-lifting strap (22’) will be reeved threw the sinker bail so it is under the shackle. This is done so the strap will not get pinched once the weight is placed on the mooring chain allowing slipping the strap clear.

c. Tag line is placed in chain about 10 to 12’ from sinker to maintain positive control while setting sinker in v-notch.

d. BDS positions sinker so it is resting in the v-notch about 1’ below the top of the deck. Crane shall be topped all the way up so the strap is angled in to stopper.

e. Corner man, using chain hook pulls all slack out of chain and sets in stopper (hit with hammer) and yells “SET”.

f. BDS lowers hook, sinker-lifting strap is removed from hook and slips strap clear. g. Crane hook is secured to a deck fitting using line. h. Remaining chain is faked out, ensuring it is clear of feet. About 10 to 12’ from

bitter end of mooring, chain is placed in the buoy pelican hook. i. BDS request permission from the COXN to hook up mooring to buoy. j. Once buoy is hooked up and ready and riggers are assigned to trip the stopper and

pelican hook, BDS will pass to COXN “READY ON DECK”. 9. COXN commands to deck once ready on deck is given:

a. Float the buoy: Normally given when COXN is with in 50 yards of buoy’s AP. b. Stand by: Given when COXN is with in 30 to 20 yards of AP. At this command

riggers shall remove safety pins and have hammers ready to let sinker and buoy go. c. Set it: Given when COXN Is on AP (with in 3 yards). Riggers do not set until

BDS gives the order. BDS must ensure the chain guard is clear so mooring will not get fouled up.

d. BDS must keep COXN informed of buoys position until boat is well clear. 10. Once operation is over the deck will be set up for the next buoy and all equipment rechecked to ensure on damage was incurred during last evolution.