Utirik Is, After establishing radio communications with thc plane and ascertaining the number of passengers, the txecutive Officer wes directed to cross over to the lagoon side and use the rubber raft or any means to land the plane passengers, With the friendly help of the cooperative natives, the X.0. with the rubber raft, set out in an outrigger canoe towards the seaplane in the lagoon. But just as he approached the plane it taxiied away apparently not distinguishing him among the natives, It had been suggested to the plane that if he had difficulty landing-passengers in the lagoon, he might try landing outside the lagoon near the ship. Upon hearing this Suggestion, the plane took off immediately and after one try, a tremendous bounce, another circle and approach, landed near the ship about O915M, Meanwhile, the gig having disembarked the Executive Officer was in- structed by him to procced castward about 500 yards to a small cove where the natives said landings could be made with more ease and safety, This was done but calling it a cove is a misuse of the term. Ease and safcty did not secm to fit the situation either but it did appear less dangerous. By using the anchor to seaward the gig was slowly worked up to the reef edge where the Radsafe Officer and his team disembarked and waded ashore to the same friendly welcome, handshakes and "Good Morning" from every native, large and small. During this time the Executive Officer had returmed to the beach from the lagoon and his try at receiving the plane passengers and advised the native chief to prepare his people for evacuation. Some of the natives who seemed to understand and spoke some broken English were of great assistance in this. At this time the ship was advised by the X.0, of the necessity for evacuation on southern and seaward side of Utirik island and thet native boats would be of no practical assistance. The Gunnery Officer in the MWB, after searching for several miles along the south leg of the atoll, reported there were no breaks in the reef nor landing places of any kind, After the gig had disembarked the remainder of the beach party, it was retumed to the ship having lost its anchor in leaving the reef. It arrived in the vicinity of the ship just in time to meet tne plane and take aboard its passengers. They consisted of Marshall Island Trust Territory representative, Mershall Island interpreter, and two public relations civilians attacned to staff, CUIF 7. After a brief consultation on board ard procurement of anothcr boat anchor, the gig was again. dispatched to the beach, meeting the 13.B enroute and receiving from it a radioman with a portable SCR~300 radio which greatly facilitated the operation. This party was met by the Executive Officer and the group then set out for the village, The seaplane departed shortly for Kwajalein. 3 ENCLOSURE (2) af wel