Submarine speed and journalists...

swimsalot · 09-12-06, 10:48 PM

Not sure about what sub it was, but when I was active duty, we were sent on a SAR mission in the Pacific for a large trawler with fire damage and inuries. Apparently there was a sub very close to the ship, they wouldn't assist due to "mission prioritites". Since we were at peace time, I was surprised. Now that I know a little more about sub ops, I guess I'm not surprised. Would a sub typically assist a ship in distress, assuming they knew about it? (not sure how this sub knew, but I guess they did, as some of the coordinates were relayed to the carrier form the sub).

Henson · 09-12-06, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimsalot

Not sure about what sub it was, but when I was active duty, we were sent on a SAR mission in the Pacific for a large trawler with fire damage and inuries. Apparently there was a sub very close to the ship, they wouldn't assist due to "mission prioritites". Since we were at peace time, I was surprised. Now that I know a little more about sub ops, I guess I'm not surprised. Would a sub typically assist a ship in distress, assuming they knew about it? (not sure how this sub knew, but I guess they did, as some of the coordinates were relayed to the carrier form the sub).

If it is possible we technically should try, but it is not always possible/safe to do so, and an SSBN is probably going to ask for someone else to do it regardless.

We don't have any boats we can put over to transfer personnel or materials, and as big as we are we can't exactly pull alongside another vessel (especially a damaged one). After the USS Cole incident we would be pretty stupid to do so as well. It's just not practical for us to rush to help someone who is merely broken. If they're truly in distress and sinking, that is little different, but even then the most we would be able to do is fish people out of the water. No RHIB means we're not much help.

sonar732 · 09-14-06, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henson

If it is possible we technically should try, but it is not always possible/safe to do so, and an SSBN is probably going to ask for someone else to do it regardless.

A no-brainer in our book!

Depending on where our "patrol" area is, we'll dispatch the Coast Guard or some other naval vessel..whether civi or military.

swimsalot · 09-19-06, 03:46 PM

Didn't know subs don't have any boats to launch; so they just have rafts for the crew? I understand the reasons why a sub wouldn't want to surface and lend assistance, just wasn't sure if they would take thos risks to save lives. Must be a tough call for a skipper to make. Thanks for the info guys.

Henson · 09-19-06, 07:32 PM

Even if we were already surfaced we would be unable to render aid because of our physical limitations. Expect us to loiter in the area and use the radio a lot.

Rafts? LOL. All we have are musty ol' steinke hoods and a lot of hope (and insanity). We do have two rafts, but I'm not sure how they were ever going to be useful in the real world.

sonar732 · 09-19-06, 09:15 PM

Just imagine the questions we'd ask if we were able to take someone in distress.

Are you clausterphobic?
You have to sign this waiver to secret information non-release.
Under no circumstances can you tell someone where you were picked up, which boat picked you up, and the crew member's on this said boat.
Once you arrive on shore, you have to submit to a screening by a Navy Shrink and interviewed by NSI...not to mention filling out 10 pages of a questionaire and having friends and relatives visited to verify the information.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

SeaQueen · 09-19-06, 10:19 PM

Yeah... but afterwards they'd be set to pick up a sweet job working for a defense contractor or government. They always love when they don't have to pay to get you cleared. Getting into trouble at sea could be a boost to their careers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonar732

Just imagine the questions we'd ask if we were able to take someone in distress.

Are you clausterphobic?
You have to sign this waiver to secret information non-release.
Under no circumstances can you tell someone where you were picked up, which boat picked you up, and the crew member's on this said boat.
Once you arrive on shore, you have to submit to a screening by a Navy Shrink and interviewed by NSI...not to mention filling out 10 pages of a questionaire and having friends and relatives visited to verify the information.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

09-12-06, 10:48 PM	#1
swimsalot Helmsman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, wa usa Posts: 102 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not sure about what sub it was, but when I was active duty, we were sent on a SAR mission in the Pacific for a large trawler with fire damage and inuries. Apparently there was a sub very close to the ship, they wouldn't assist due to "mission prioritites". Since we were at peace time, I was surprised. Now that I know a little more about sub ops, I guess I'm not surprised. Would a sub typically assist a ship in distress, assuming they knew about it? (not sure how this sub knew, but I guess they did, as some of the coordinates were relayed to the carrier form the sub). __________________ Swimsalot AW2 (AW\NAC)

09-19-06, 03:46 PM	#4
swimsalot Helmsman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, wa usa Posts: 102 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Didn't know subs don't have any boats to launch; so they just have rafts for the crew? I understand the reasons why a sub wouldn't want to surface and lend assistance, just wasn't sure if they would take thos risks to save lives. Must be a tough call for a skipper to make. Thanks for the info guys. __________________ Swimsalot AW2 (AW\NAC)

09-19-06, 09:15 PM	#6
sonar732 The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central MO Posts: 1,562 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Just imagine the questions we'd ask if we were able to take someone in distress. Are you clausterphobic? You have to sign this waiver to secret information non-release. Under no circumstances can you tell someone where you were picked up, which boat picked you up, and the crew member's on this said boat. Once you arrive on shore, you have to submit to a screening by a Navy Shrink and interviewed by NSI...not to mention filling out 10 pages of a questionaire and having friends and relatives visited to verify the information. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

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09-19-06, 07:32 PM	#5
Henson Planesman Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 185 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Even if we were already surfaced we would be unable to render aid because of our physical limitations. Expect us to loiter in the area and use the radio a lot. Rafts? LOL. All we have are musty ol' steinke hoods and a lot of hope (and insanity). We do have two rafts, but I'm not sure how they were ever going to be useful in the real world.