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from the berthing area (hold #2) was through one heavy water-tight hatch leading forward through a high hazard area, i.e., x-ray and laboratory areas
(containing flamable chemicals and high voltage), then up a ladder and aft
onto the well deck,
A second hatch leading aft went through a cluttered
machine shop, into a battery room with no egress.
There was no outside
ventilation into the berthing area that I could find.
The water-tight hatch
controlling access to the medical berthing area had no latch.
When trying
to pass through the hatch in high seas, the heavy hatch would swing violently.
A piece of cord was finally tied to the hatch to keep it open.
‘rhe outboard
passageways, both port and starboard: on the. main deck level required climbiny
over a tetallyexposed fore and aft ladder with no safety lines.
Since our
passage was in heavy weather with severe rolling and pitching, we could casily
have lost one of our party over the side and never have missed him (sce
pictures).
From the health standpoint, the berthing arca was inadequate.
One
bunk was under an airconditioning unit and thronghout the first night at sea
that bunk was drenched about every 30 minutes by 2-4 ounces of ice cold water.
In addition, Dr. Nicoloff complained repeatedly about the "stagnant air in the
berthing compartinent."
The large air conditioning unit which was integral and
recirculating for the compartment rendered the area cither too hot or too cold.
In our preliminary correspondence and in phone conversations with
Mr. Brown in Honolulu I stressed the importance of having an outer island pilot
for the survey and recomnended Mr. Paul LaPoint who has had extensive experience
with previous medical surveys.
While in Honolulu, I was informed that a
Nr. deBrum was to serve as outer island pilot.
While we were in Kwajalein
we were informed that Mr. deBrum would not be available and Mr. Brown attempted to obtain the services of Mx. LaPoint, unsuccessfully.
Therefore,
the ship sailed for the outer islands without an outer islands pilot.
The