DD244y/ msi
P22
eee
(2) Tne islend na surroundin> «eter teens witn fisn, turtles
4nd Ssa olrus.
ce.
.
Ronecrix Atoll:
(i) Tha ship cia not attetpt russ. 2 into the atoll vecausy of
tne poor navigational aids available.
It 13 b2Liaveq taat 2 snailo. drart
VeSSsi SNOuLU sAvericNces Very Little Gissicuity in mwacing peSSdgu.
(¢) Smaii Boataa> is rourh, out not Janserous. éxtrers cere
Sf0uld bs exercised when approaching Bock Islsnqd as muny corai heaas ers
;Pussnt and ths watcr is very shallow.
d.
Allinjinse2 Atoll:
(1) OnLy sail bo:t eniry sas aadz.
have very little difficulty making entry.
A shalio. drait vessel should
Navigational cuts were very poor.
(2) Small boating was rough but not dangerous.
e.
Utirik Atoll:
(1) The four beacons shown on HO chart 6023 have been replaced
by two black buoys.
It is understood that the Trust Territory AKL makes reg-
‘ular entry into Utirik Atoll through Utirik Passage.
around Utirik Island are missing.
The beacons on and
(2) Small boating is not difficult, but a sharp watch should be
maintained for coral heads.
4&4.
Recommendations and Summary:
a. Survey of these atolls from a DD= type vessel is somewhat inefficient
in that Rongelap is the only atoll, of the five visited, that can be entered
and navigated safely, thus limiting the number of islands that can be covered
in a given time. Boat handling operations outside the atolls were difficult
due to heavy swells. “fith the forces available, it is believed that the use
of a DDE is the most practicable solution for similar missions. For operations
subsecuent to "CASTLE", it is recommended that a smaller class ship of shallow
draft be used. This would permit entry into most lagoons shortening boat runs,
in some cases twenty miles.
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