The two Seacraft water taxis proved invaluable for rapid transportation of personnel and small freight between islands. Daily schedules were maintained, relieving the load on the L-5 and I-13 liaison planes. On occasion, other craft, such as DUKW's, LCM's, and LSU's were also used to transport personnel. With this fleet of twenty-three assorted craft, available in June- July 1950, and with the stevedores furnished by the Engineer Brigade under CTG 3.2 of Joint Task Force 3., ship off-loading and inter-island transportation proved adequate. Freight was transported between ships and sites by means of LCM's, LSU's, and barges under tug tow. In August 1950, a YCV-7 steel barge was delivered with packaged POL supplies aboard. This vessel was fitted out as a cable-laying barge and was used as such during the entire cable-laying operation, being towed by YTL's, LCT's, and LCM's, as required. No flat-deck power barge was available for use in laying the submarine outfall sewers, Since such a craft was necessary, a steel barge was built of salvaged Navy cubes and powered with a gasoline "mle" salvaged from a dump on Parry, This power barge became the workhorse of marine operations and proved invaluable in laying all submarine outfall sewer lines. It was originally planned to build an aluminum shelter amidships on an LCT for use as a floating construction camp in the establishment of a beachhead on the upper islands. This idea was later abandoned because portable buildings, equipment, and tents were found available for temporary construction camps and used successively on Bogallua, Engebi, Runit,and Biijiri. One LCT was, however, fitted up with complete galley equipment and bunks and was extensively used by the surveyors before the construction of the camps on the outlying islands, especially in their triangulation work, which necessitated frequent movement from site to site. Because of the age and condition of all marine craft on delivery and because of their constant use, a group of mechanics and shipfitters was continually engaged in repair of hulls, superstructures, and especially engines. Overhaul and replacement of the Gray marine engines was a contimious operation which paid dividends in rendering maximum marine craft service. All demands on the fleet were met, despite the fact that at times, guch as upon the arrival of the Battalion's equipment and ‘supplies, the available craft were in use around the clock. Inasmuch as the bottoms of the LCT's (LSU's) were in bad condition, having had no attention other than the plugging of leaks since their delivery in the spring of 1949, the use of a floating drydock was requested of Cincpac. In May 1950, a floating drydock, the USS COMSTOCK, arrived with additional marine craft aboard. Because its call was limited to twenty days, the repair of the LCT's was rushed on a day-and-night schedule. Bottoms were reinforced by welding on new plates; screws, shafts, bearings, and guards were reconditioned or replaced; bottom paint was 16-3