CHAPTER Vii, SECTION 1
absolutely essential for the accomplishment of
the mission, such boat operation was continued

throughout the period of operations.

After the execution of the Bravo event, the
schedule of operations had to be considerably
changed. The support tasks assigned to the

Contractor became a day to day determination.
The Contractor’s Resident Manager remained
aboard the command ship, the USS Estes, for
closest possible liaison with the heads of the
various Scientific and Military Groups. Here
he reviewed daily changes in schedule, support

requirements, and reports on contamination.
These were communicated via radio, or by
messenger, to an Assistant Resident Manager
quartered in the USNS Ainsworth, in which

Shot Day was frequently changed due to meteological conditions.
The repeated postponements of the various
shots interjected a difficult problem in servic-

ing and maintaining equipment required to oper-

ate continuously

and,

generally,

unattended.

Mechanical troubles in dehumidification systems
and electric generators developed. The need for
frequent re-entry into contaminated areas subjected maintenance and operating personnel to

frequent radiation exposures, and as the allow-

able limit was approached these men were evac-

uated to Elmer. Thus, continual shifting of per-

sonnel was necessary to maintain an adequate
staff for special jobs at Bikini Atoll.

supervisors, and the User’s requirements for
he following day were detailed and tasks as-

Each person entering a contaminated area
carried a film badge which was returned to the
Rad-Safe Group, who evaluated, recorded and
- reported the accumulated exposures to appropriate personnel. A separate report was made of
all personnel whose accumulated dosage had

two became “Generator Refueling Day’ and
Shot Day minus one “Generator Check Day.”

for detailing men to work in contaminated areas.

vessel were practically all of the Contractor’s

personnel. Each evening at 1700 the Assistant
Resident Manager held a conference with all
signed to various personnel. Shot Day minus

Figure 7-1.

reached 2500 mr or over. This report acted as
a warning to supervisory personnel responsible

Decontamination Barge Tied Alongside the USNS Ainsworth
Page 7-3

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