thyroid patients, four emergency medical evacuations were brought in from the
outer islands.
The addition of 18 Marshallese patients presented serious
problems to the ship in regards to sleeping areas and food.
I was informed
by Mr. Munk that the ship was “almost out of food" when we returned to
Kwajalein.
A few minor problems in ship support developed during the voyage.
were:
They
1) The cook was very susceptible to seasickness and very little food
was provided while the ship was underway.
was superb.
2)
His cooking at anchor or at dockside
The main hatch dog for the watertight hatch between the
medical berthing area and the head was fabricated from light strap aluminum.
It bent as soon as the ship began to roll heavily and the weight of the door,
smashing against the insulated bulkhead dented it badly.
Again, the hatch
presented a hazard to the medical party in the berthing area.
3)
A second
watertight hatch leading from the forecastle to the well deck was also secured
inadequately with a light hook.
This heavy hatch again broke loose during
heavy rolling and was finally secured by a line (Please see Enclosure V, photographs of latches and bulkheads).
4)
The cargo containers (vans), that had
been converted into the medical examination rooms developed a number of severe
leaks during the heavy rains.
occasions.
This restricted our operations on several
In addition, the canvas cover between the vans also leaked during
heavy rains.
A rerigging of the canvas and repairs of the leaking roof will
be necessary before the next medical survey.
Summary :
In summary,
the addition of the Bikinians at the Last moment
necessitated the vapid modification of the staffing and logistic plans.
These
plans need to be fixed 8-12 weeks before the survey to allow for professional
staff planning,
schedule
as well
i.e.
the guest consultants teaching schedules and professional
as material
EC 0975?
lead
time.
We
did
the best
we
could with
the