The inspection began with an atomic defense exercise that simulated ar
counter with radiological contamination under conditions likely to oc
during the CASTLE tests rather than in battle.
according to the TG 7.3 final report

Staff and ship's offi

(Reference ll, p. lla-3), observe

and evaluated the

- - . ship's closure of gas tight envelope, decontamination stations, washdown systems in operation, Radiological
Defense Bill, radiac equipment, decontamination equipment,
and pre-contamination preparation of the ship.
During the inspection, observers did uncover "numerous small deficienc }es

which were corrected."

The judgment expressed in TG 7.3's final report

(Reference 1l, p. lla-4) was that:

Operation of ship washdown systems during fallout was a constant sdrce

of exposure to radiation for some personnel, according to the TG 7.3 fi

nal

report (Reference ll, p. lla-3):
During operation of the washdown systems it was found

necessary to have a few personnel topside and exposed to
radiation in order to clear the fire main strainers, rePlace ruptured hoses, and to take the kinks out of the

hoses when the washdown system was first turned on.

Furthermore, when a ship encountered fallout, the crew was required[to

close off all ventilation to spaces below decks.

Crews found this rais@d

temperatures beyond tolerable levels in the engineering spaces.

Conse-

time to time it was necessary to relax the material condition in order

oO

resume ventilation of these spaces."

o

quently, according to a report filed from the Philip after CASTLE, "fro
The result was unavoidable exposu

of personnel in those areas to airborne radiation.
ported (Reference 28):

122

As one ship later r

ene

The inspections instilled in ship's personnel confidence
in their ability to protect themselves from radiation and
thus improved morale in many cases.
All inspections were
considered satisfactory, and subsequent events proved
their worth.

Select target paragraph3