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 e. Utirik Atoll: (1) The four beacons shown on HO chart 6023 have been replaced by two black buoys.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. og 9 Vv o* 3 5 he ag ore sro po? NI) Pes 2