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. .