328
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
modified to protect their decks and bulkheads from damage by the
heay
loading equipment and to minimize contamination of their well-decx S. The
initial LCM-8 modification provided for lining the starboard, aft, anq Do
bulkheads with |/2-inch steel plate, and covering the deck with 4-inch ‘
14-inch timber. While this modification was satisfactory from
operational point of view, the starboard and port modifications Made ;
extremely difficult for the LCM crewto enter voids for maintenance. The
aft end of the box wasvertical, which made it difficult for the bucket lo ader
to removethelast of the soil from the box. Also, the timber decking Was
soon chewed up by the front loaders when unloading. From the
radiological safefy viewpoint, the timber decking retained Unacceptable
amounts of contaminated soil, and the areas between theside plates and
the bulkheads weredifficult to clean. To correct these deficiencies While
still protecting the boat structure, 2-inch angle iron was welded along the
entire length of the cargo area bulkheads. The aft bulkhead was Protecteq
by installing 8-inch by 12-inch timbers anchoredin place by1/2-inch Sheet
steel strips welded to the bulkhead. The deck was protected by welding two
2-inch to 3-inch wide strips of |/2-inch-thick steel plate onto the center
section of the deck (approximately one-third and two-thirds of the width).
All void-cover gaskets were replaced to prevent contaminated soil from
entering the voids. Angle iron sections were welded in place to preven
damage to the cleats by bucket loaders. These modifications minimizeg
the deficiencies and afforded protection to the LCM-8, allowed thecargo
area to be easily cleaned with water hoses, and made the voidseasily
accessible. Figure 7-1 shows these modifications.
The modification to the LCU was greatly expedited by the experience
gained in converting the LCM-8. Again, the primary concern was the
protection of the bulkheads and deck. The LCU well-decks had especially
thin bulkheads; therefore, they were very susceptible to damage during
offloading. With slight modifications, the first methods employed with the
LCM-8 wereappropriate for the LCU. The U.S. Navy Element (USNE)
constructed a three-sided box, approximately 5 feet high, which extended
two-thirds of the length of the well-deck from the aft bulkhead. The box
was welded in place on the deck and supported with angle iron. Adequate
space wasleft outside the soil box along the starboard and port bulkheads
to allow passage of personnel and for ease of cleaning. Again, the deck was
protected by I/2-inch steel plate strips, as was done for the LCM-8. Figure
7-2 shows this modification.
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