work sites. The majority of the contractor personnel was quarter-= ed aboard the AINSWORTH since that vessel was best outfitted with large-scale accommodations. The ship did not carry to the forward area an accommodation ladder, however, and it was necessary to use jacobs ladders for boarding and departing the ship. from LCM's was both hazardous and time-consuming. This operation When possible, LCU's were used for AINSWORTH passenger runs since they offered a larger platform than did the LCM's. Later, a barge became avail- able and was permanently placed alongside. The accomplishment of transportation in the Bikini Lagoon during the follewing several weeks with no significant injury to the thousands of personnel transported was a tribute to the skill and care displayed by those Naval and civilian personnel operating the boat pool at Bikini. When the airstrip at Bikini had to be closed, it became necessary to provide surface ferry runs between Bikini and Fniwstok with one ship usually leaving each atoll each night, carrying pas~= sengers, light cargo, and mail. When possibie, a ship making the trip for other reasons was utilized, but often one would have to be scheduled specificaily for this purposa. Another logistical problem was the increased consumption of stores and fresh water aboard ship. The increased workload on ships’ laundries and messes and the phasing cf refusling were ail matters requiring innovation and hard work if the shitt to afloat operations was to be successful. Refuciing was parvicularly a problem as going to sea for that purpose was disruptive for TG 7.1