410099 «- z September 28, 1978 TRIP REPORT - NORTHERN MARSHALLS SURVEY - FIRST SERTES The USNS Wheeling (T-AGM8), operational base for the DOE radiological survey of the Northern Marshalls, departed the dock at 1830, September 16, 1978, and at 1930 cleared the deep water pass in the southwestern reef of Kwajalein Atoll. The 10 hour trip northward to Rongelap Atoll was the first leg of a 22-day mission to survey Rongelap, Utirik, Rongerik, and Taka Atolls. This was the beginning of the Northern Marshalls survey. The first day off Rongelap Atoll (September 17) was a difficult one.’ No small boats were operational for various reasons such as engine malfunctions and human error (two starter keys were broken in ignition switches). One helicopter was launched and two EGG battery powered transponders were placed and pui into operation. These island based transponders provide the positioning data for the aerial survey. A conflict between birt and helicopter operations was immediately evident. The shit. crew at Flight Quarters for launching and recovery of helicopters contained the same personnel as are~necéed to launch and recover boats. The helicopter fueling detail also used these same people. Further, the ships communications equipment had to be shut dowm during helicopter launch, recovery, and fueling operations due to the danger of fire from high level RF energy. The major task of the survey technical director, Vic Noshkin of LLL, was to work out a schedule for conflicting operations to get the best utilization of people and equipment. All activi- ties involved in the ships operation from meal service to positioning the vessel, were on a learning curve. Times as short as fifteen minutes were at issue in the evening staff meetings. Enclosure 1 is a sample of a plan for daily activities. Vic Noshkin, Roger Ray, and Bob Keller did an exceptional job of negotiating and arbitrating between the various interests. An overriding and helpful factor was the spirit of cooperation and desire by all concerned to see the survey successfully dene. Capt. Robert Jones from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Capt. Taylor, ships master, were most cooperative and helpful and interested in the job being done. There was a difficulty in contacting Rongelap by radio to announce our intengions and to explain why a boat had not come ashore. The Trust Territory radio in Majuro Atoll to the south was contacted and a broadcast band radio station made an announcement that the Wheeling was trying to contact Rongelap. A few