CHAPTER IV, SECTION 2
CRAFT AVAILABLE FROM 1 JANUARY TO 31 MAY 1958
ENIWETOK
ATOLL
BIKINI
ATOLL
PEAK NUMBERS
JOHNSTON
ISLAND
DUKW
37
14
4
46
LCM
22
13
3
34
LCU
25
8
3
31
YTL
2
0
0
2
YTB
0
0
1
Water Taxi
3
0
0
29
12
1
CRAFT
Barges
Table No. 4-12.
PEAK TOTAL
31
Available Marine Craft.
to specific missions. The assignment of craft
was coordinated through a Marine Dispatcher
located at each camp site whose responsibility
it was to ensure the optimum use of craft. A
voice radio network with outlets to all Marine
Dispatch offices and in each craft provided the
means for the interchange of operating information.
The requirements for the movement of
heavy equipment to Johnston Island in LCU’s,
dock space to augment the scientific barge out-
fitting slip, there were times when the harbor
facilities were overloaded. This hampered smooth
and economic operations requiring such dock
space. Also, the small personnel piers at both
Elmer and Fred were inadequate for the large
number of personnel craft of the many ships of
the Task Force, in addition to Contractor-operated watertaxis.
With respect to boat operations, HARD-
loaded in LSD’s, combined with that of a Weather Station mission, called for the absence of
TACK may be categorized as an Operation of
was overcome by rapidly activating and manning
nel were rescued, and the cable reels and boat
eight LCU’s from the EPG during a part of the
operational period. The shortage caused thereby
five LCU’s that were available and destined for
use as houseboats later in the operation.
unusual occurrences. One LCM loaded with cable
reels capsized while making passage across the
wide entrance south of Nan; however, all person-
The demand for tug services was exceptionally heavy. There was a definite need for
frequent shifting of the scientific barges from
barge slip to dock space or to buoys during the
construction and outfitting of the stations, and
the services of tugs were required for the movement of the large helicopter barges which formed
part of the array of each Barge Zero Station.
The frequency of ship arrivals in both inter-
atoll and overseas service was greater than ever
before and resulted in a proportionate increase
in tug service demands. Tug services were also
required in the frequent movement of the various
marine craft used as the target array of the
underwater events. A significant factor of this
service was the definite need for higher powered
tugs than were available. Action was initiated
towards the close of the Operation to acquire
two tugs of 600 horsepower, which will be necessary oa future Operations similar to HARDTACK.
A problem area in HARDTACK was in-
adequacy of dock space. Because of the heavy
shipping schedule combined with the need for
(Neg. No. W-V-71-11)}
Figure No. 4-9.
Deep Sea Diver Ready
for Plunge.
Page 415