3.6 USS MOLALA (ATF-106). Between 0414 and 0442 hours on 1 March, MOLALA embarkedthe skeleton crews of YAG-39 and YAG-40, the two remote-controlled ships supporting Project 6.4 (section 3.1), in an area approximately 45 nmi southwest of the Shot BRAVOgroundzero. The ship then proceeded on a southeasterly course and, at 0645 hours when Shot BRAVOwas detonated, MOLALA was approximately 45 nmi south-southwestof the detonation. Following the test, MOLALA steamed on an easterly course for approximately one hour and then southeasterly until it rendezvoused with TAWAKONIin an area approximately 45 nmi south-southeast of Bikini Atoll at 1045 hours. These two ships then steamed on a westerly course to intercept the two YAGs. At approximately noon, the skeleton crew of YAG-39, which had remained on MOLALA for the test, was transferred to TAWAKONI;the two ships then headed generally west-northwestin the anticipated direction of the YAGs, which, by now, were dead in the water. At 1400 hours, while in an area 30-35 nmi southwest of Bikini, MOLALAsighted YAG-40 at a range of 13 nmi. At 1445 hours, MOLALAbegan its approach to YAG-40,but prior to going alongside to hook up the tow wire, it approached cautiously in order to determine any radiological hazards associated with towing this vessel. Because of a change in wind direction prior to the detonation, the YAGs were not in an area of anticipated heavy fallout and topside intensities on YAG-40 were only 30-40 mR/hr (Reference 13). At 1600 hours, 1 March, MOLALA took YAG-40 in tow with 1,550 feet of main tow wire, enroute to Enewetak Atoll (Reference 3). By steaming in a westerly direction following their rendezvous at 1045 hours, both MOLALA and TAWAKONI avoidedthe significant BRAVO fallout experienced by manyofthe task force ships (e.g., COCOPA and PC-1546) when those ships were directed to proceed northnorthwest toward Bikini at 1100 hours. Air sampling data obtained onboard MOLALA(and TAWAKONI) does indicate, however, that these two ships received some fallout (although insignificant compared to the other ships) commencing at approximately 1600 hours, 1 March (Reference 13). Unfortunately, the air sampling was terminated at approximately 2000 hours on both ships and the time of cessation can only be estimated. On YAG-40, which was being towed by MOLALAduring the period ofinterest, the air sampling equipment remained in operation until 2300 hours and, at that time, airborne contamination levels werefalling off rapidly; therefore, it is estimatedthatfallout on the two mannedshipsalso ended at this time. 45