October 2010 3

Captain Patrick Keenan, USN

Supervisor of Salvage and Diving

My apologies for not being 

present at the Divers Working Group this Spring. I understand the 

meeting was a great success, and both 

hearing directly from the MCPON, and 

being able to put him in the water were 

the highlights. I was absent because, 

since the end of April, a major focus 

at SUPSALV has been our response to 

the oil spill that resulted from the explosion and sinking of mobile offshore 

drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. With 

750 skimmers and more than 3 million 

feet of boom deployed in the region, 

the SUPSALV contribution of 23 skimming systems and about one hundred 

thousand feet of boom is relatively 

minor. However, as I write this article 

in late July from a trailer in Gulfport, 

MS, our military, civil service, and 

contractor team has recovered 23,000 

barrels of oil (about one million gallons). A small volume when compared 

to the total amount that entered the Gulf, 

but a valuable contribution nonetheless.

Some of you may be wondering 

why a salvage and diving organization is involved in an oil spill response. 

Without citing governing laws, regulations and instructions, the reason is that 

since it is likely in a salvage scenario 

(such as a ship collision or grounding) 

that oil pollution will be present, the 

Navy’s responsibility for handling that 

oil is assigned to SUPSALV.

The loss of Deepwater Horizon 

had tragic consequences. Eleven people 

killed, thousands of livelihoods disrupted 

or lost forever, and a terrible impact on 

the Gulf of Mexico environment. The 

exact causes of this accident will come 

to light in the ensuing months as all aspects of the Macondo 1 Well drilling 

and completion operation are thoroughly 

investigated. But I believe I know why 

the rig exploded and sank. People most 

likely took shortcuts and did not follow established operational procedures. 

The $1 million per day operation was 

behind schedule and thus over budget. 

You can visualize the situation: pressure 

was on the operational folks to finish 

the job quickly and they were doing 

what they could to comply, including cutting corners in both the equipment installation and testing phases 

of an inherently hazardous process. 

The results speak for themselves. An 

interesting aspect of this tragic accident is that while workers 50 miles 

offshore were cutting corners in the 

use of millions of pounds of force to 

puncture the earth to a depth of three 

miles under the seabed and a mile below the ocean surface, with the intent 

of recovering an explosive mixture of 

hydrocarbons at a temperature of more 

than 200 degrees F, their counterparts 

in a headquarters building were being constantly reminded by a multitude of placards about how to safely 

walk down the stairs. A true culture of 

safety is not placards and slogans, it is 

attitude and commitment.

My intent here is not to preach safety 

to operational units. Fleet Diving Supervisors, Master Divers, and Diving Officers in all diving communities demonstrate daily a superb ability to complete 

difficult and dangerous missions safely. 

However, after being directly involved in 

the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon 

accident for three months, I believe it is 

appropriate to reflect on this tragedy as 

an example of what can go wrong when 

people become lax in their approach to 

conducting dangerous evolutions.

Keep diving. See you around the Fleet.

4000 feet of 26” Navy boom surrounding

New Harbor Island, Louisiana.

SUPSALV’s Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System 

(VOSS) oil containment booms deployed. 
4 October 2010

Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) Dive Division recently arranged for the first ever indoctrination dive for a Master Chief Petty 

Officer of the Navy(MCPON)(SS/SW) 

Rick D. West. This familiarization dive 

was to be conducted with Southwest Regional Maintenance Center “Delta” Divers utilizing the KM-37 helmet on the 

EX-USS MIDWAY (CV-41).

After the MCPON was successfully 

screened by a Navy Diving Medical Officer (DMO) to insure he could safely 

conduct a Navy surface supplied dive, 

SWRMC Master Diver, NDCM Brian 

Pratschner routed the dive waiver request 

through SWRMC Chain of Command 

and NAVSEA 00C before submitting to 

OPNAV N87 for final approval. On May 

4, 2010, the MCPON addressed Officers 

and Enlisted from various Navy diving 

commands at the 2010 NAVSEA sponsored Divers Working Group (DWG). 

He discussed a wide variety of current 

Navy related issues and how important 

the role of U.S. Navy Divers is in supporting critical Navy missions around 

the world. The MCPON then embarked 

onboard SWRMC Foxtrot dive boat used 

for rapid response dive operations for 

transport to EX-USS MIDWAY.

Once disembarked onto the SWRMC 

wet weld dive barge, the MCPON was 

instructed on the operating and emergency procedures for the Navy KM-37 

dive helmet. He then dressed out in a full 

wet suit, safety harness, and ancillary 

gear before being briefed by the diving 

supervisor, ND1 Real, on the dive mission for the day. The MCPON donned 

his dive helmet, stood up for pre-dive 

checks and followed Red Diver, NDC 

Halford, and Green Diver, ND2 Gee, 

in entering the water. After a successful front step entry, in-water checks of 

all Divers were conducted and the Divers left surface with Red Diver leading 

the MCPON to the job site.

Upon reaching the bone crushing 

depth of 30 FSW, the MCPON, safely 

situated himself as briefed by the dive 

supervisor, pulled down his weld safety 

shield and observed the Navy’s only certified underwater wet welders (SWRMC 

“Delta” Divers) perform fillet welds on 

“Test”-plates for the NAVSEA 00C5 wet 

weld qualification process.

He was then led under the hull of 

EX-USS MIDWAY to give him an idea 

of the work conditions Navy Divers 

MCPON conducting predive checks with SWRMC Divers.
October 2010 5

endure (cold, 

dark, physically demanding 

work environment with multiple machinery 

spaces includi n g s u c t i o n s 

and discharges 

in close proximity to Divers). Soon the 

MCPON’s 30 

m i n u t e b o t -

tom time was 

up and he had 

t o r e t u r n t o 

t h e s u r f a c e . 

He climbed up 

and over the 

d i v e l a d d e r 

back onboard 

t h e S W R M C 

weld barge, 

sat on his dive 

bench, was unhatted and he 

gave the “Diver OK” signal to his 

Diving Supervisor.

With a huge smile on his 

face, MCPON stated that this 

was one of the highlights of his 

tour and he could now relate 

to why his son, ND2(DSW/

EXW) West (LITTLEPON), 

stationed at Mobile Diving and 

Following his dive, he was transported by boat to the SWRMC Code 

360 Dive locker located on NAVBASE, 

San Diego, Mole Pier and was given 

a tour of the SWRMC RC 6500 recompression chamber, a brief on the 

newly established RMC Battle Damage Assessment and Repair (BDA/R) 

surge capability, and visited SWRMC 

Divers conducting Underwater Ship 

Husbandry (UWSH) inspections on 

USS FREEDOM (LCS-1).

 Overall, the MCPON spent six 

hours with SWRMC Navy Divers and 

staff. He left the SWRMC Dive comCWO3 Charles L. Senter is the Assistant Division Head at Southwest Regional Maintenance 

Center, Code 360 Dive Division.

MCPON posing with SWRMC “Delta” dive crew

MCPON getting ready to be hatted.

MCPON watching ND2 Gee perform underwater welding operations.

MCPON on bottom.

pound with a better understanding of the 

command’s UWSH mission and the rigors of the Navy Diving field.

Salvage Unit Two was so proud of his 

status as a Navy Diver. He had never 

realized how technically complex and 

physically demanding the Navy Diving 

field could be.
6 October 2010

After the final wave of attacks 

on Pearl Harbor in December 

1941, the Japanese sank or destroyed a 

good portion of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific 

fleet. Amid the remaining chaos, Sailors 

immediately began work patching holes, 

clearing debris, and pumping water out 

of many of the damaged ships.

After more than 20,000 hours of 

underwater operations, five battleships 

and two cruisers were salvaged and put 

back into service to fight the aggression of the Japanese empire. As a result 

of that infamous attack, Navy Divers 

developed salvage techniques that are 

still in use today, and the Navy recognized the strategic and fiscal importance 

of salvage and ship husbandry (repair 

and maintenance) techniques.

The Navy Deep Sea Diving School 

in Newport, R.I. was created in the early 

1900’s to train Sailors to work in an unforgiving environment using a variety 

of tools, techniques, and diving equipment. Once applicants understood how 

to use the diving gear, they were given 

projects to test their dexterity, strength, 

and problem-solving abilities under 

pressure.

Today, the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center 

(NDSTC) in Panama 

City, Fla., is the primary training facility for Divers from 

all services. The staff 

trains approximately 1,300 students per 

year logging 10,000 

dives annually.

A l t h o u g h t h e 

dive school facilities 

include state-of-theart hyperbaric chambers, watercraft, and 

equipment, there have 

been few hands-on 

training projects the 

staff could use to train 

students in waterborne ship repairs. 

An overhead eightbolt flange was an 

example of one of the 

projects. Dive candidates had to remove 

the bolts and flange plate, replace a gasket, then re-install the bolts into the flange 

plate without dropping any tools or material while working underwater. 

NDSTC currently has three new 

projects that will increase the amount 

of time a student spends working underwater on realistic ship husbandry 

and salvage tasks. The first project was 

designed by NDC Bart Monroe, currently stationed at Navy Experimental 

Dive Unit, and will be used to train dive 

candidates to perform a number of ship 

repairs required in the fleet. Monroe’s 

Multi-Panel Project (MPP) is made from 

aluminum and stands 24 feet tall when 

assembled. The MPP provides numerous attachment points to mount 15 different projects Divers will perform in 

the fleet. Mini-projects, such as patching, 

component replacement, and the torque 

sequence of bolts, will focus on particular skills performed by basic Divers. The 

project also has an I-beam across the top 

to teach basic rigging skills.

Divers working on submarines will 

also benefit from the new projects. The 

Main Ballast Tank project was constructed to simulate a submarine tank or 

free-flood void. It has a submarine grate 

at the bottom that will help students prepare for opening and closing the heavy 

and cumbersome access panels on LOS 

ANGELES class (SSN 688) submarines. 

It has a mud-tank style access cover, 

as well as several places to attach projects that require students to work in the 

overhead position. At more than 7,200 

pounds, the MPP will be craned into 

the new military aquatic training facility at NDSTC, and will provide students 

a crystal clear environment to perform 

graded assignments. The work conducted in the pool will be at depths between 

20 and 30 feet simulating the depths attained when working at a ship husbandry 

command. NDSTC plans to incorporate 

the ship husbandry modules into the curriculum by November 2010.

For years, NDSTC used the decommissioned ACCOKEEK (ATA 181) auxiliary ocean tug as a salvage project. It 

was a great salvage trainer. As the years 

went by, the elements and corrosion finally caught up with her as she was repeatedly sunk and then raised by the 

students. The project became too hazardous to safely train students and in 

2006 the ACCOKEEK was towed out 

to sea and sunk one last time as a manmade reef. The schoolhouse replaced the 

Ship Husbandry project rigged with lower module stand attached 

into the new pool.
October 2010 7

ocean tug with a homemade steel structure dubbed The Mud Monster. Though 

it had the enclosed 

space and plenty of 

holes for patching, it 

did not completely 

satisfy the salvage 

objectives of the 

fleet.

Chief Warrant 

Officer Mark Pearson (now retired) was 

asked to design a new 

salvage trainer. Nicknamed “The Hulk”, 

the salvage trainer 

is about the size of 

a military shipping 

and storage container. The interior is 

riddled with problems 

that must be identified 

and corrected by dive students in order 

to refloat it. When the project is resting on the sea bed, the students conduct 

a series of dive inspections to create a 

salvage plan for raising the wreck. Inside the wreck, the students find multiple valves that allow isolation of water 

between the compartments.

The Hulk features several functional 

or structural problems the students must 

identify and fix, including a mid-ship 

bulkhead with a watertight door missing 

three of the six dog handles, a one-inch 

hull penetrating valve that is jammed 

open, and numerous cracks and openings 

for the Divers to locate, plug, and patch. 

The dive students apply the salvage 

concepts learned using the newest stateof-the-art salvage equipment provided 

by NAVSEA to refloat The Hulk to the 

surface. The new salvage trainer not 

only satisfies the fleet’s training objectives but is also practical from a fiscal 

repair and maintenance aspect. When 

the salvage trainer is not in use, it will 

be rinsed and craned onto a skid for storage on the pier. NDSTC plans to incorporate the new salvage trainer into the 

curriculum by January 2011.

The projects used to train dive students have gone through remarkable 

changes over the years and have evolved 

into much more sophisticated training. 

While these projects capture the basic 

skills a new Diver needs to operate in an 

undersea environment, they also provide 

enriched and flexible training scenarios 

for future Navy Divers. These projects, 

fostered by the staff at NDSTC, help 

ensure dive candidates safely and effectively achieve the objectives required to 

graduate and serve successfully as United States Navy Deep Sea Divers.

NDC (MDV) Matthew Rotan is the Dive Learning Manager for the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving.

Diver working on the pipe flange project, which includes rigging 

the pipe with line and tackle, removing the bolts, and lowering 

or raising the pipe to the next flange and re-connecting the pipe 

with fasteners.

New salvage project affectionately nicknamed the ‘Hulk’ rigged for salvage operations.
8 October 2010

The U.S. Navy developed Saturation (SAT) Diving in the 1960’s as a safe 

way to extend bottom time and depth capability to 1,000 feet for deep ocean salvage 

and submarine rescue/recovery. During the 

80’s to mid 90’s most of the Navy’s afloat 

diving and salvage platforms were decommissioned, including the saturation diving 

platforms. During 2001-2002 Navy Divers 

raised the engine, turret, and cannons from 

the USS MONITOR using a commercially 

leased SAT system. The commercial system took six months to refurbish before it 

could be made operational under a temporary CNO waiver. Without the use of 

a Saturation Diving System, these items 

would not have been recovered. Today, 

the U.S. Navy does not have any deployable SAT systems readily available for operations or training thereby accelerating the 

requirement for this capability.

The Saturation Fly-Away Diving System (SAT FADS) Acquisition Program was 

initiated in September 2003 at the request 

of the Submarine Warfare Division (N87), 

initiated by the Assessment Division (N81), 

and was approved by the Chief of Naval 

Operations (CNO). SAT FADS is required 

to retain an organic saturation diving capability to support the full range of Navy salvage and recovery operations ranging from 

crisis response from emergent casualties, as 

well as, planned response in and around the 

world’s littorals and continental shelves. 

The Saturation Fly-Away Diving 

System is designed to provide a mobile and 

worldwide capability for deep water sustained diving operations to depths of 1,000 

FSW. SAT FADS supports 6 saturation Divers for a period of 21 days, with an additional 9 days of decompression. During a 30-

day mission profile, topside crews, 

consisting of two teams working 

alternating 12-hour shifts, support 

six (6) saturation Divers working in 

two shifts. Three saturation Divers 

can typically accomplish eight hours 

of work underwater while the other 

3 Divers engage in rest periods in 

the SAT FADS topside chambers. 

The diving bell runs take place every 10 – 

12 hours to coincide with Diver and topside 

support team turnover.

SAT FADS is composed of five (5) 

configuration items: 6-Man Deck Decompression Chamber, composed of the Outer 

Lock and the Living Compartment, a Control Van, Two Auxiliary Support Equipment 

Vans, 3-Man Diving Bell, and Bell Launch 

Control Van - NDCS Mike Wiser, ND2 Jeremiah Ruddell, and ND1 Julius Mcmanus

Living Compartment - ND1 Julius Mcmanus 
October 2010 9

SAT FADS main Deck Decompression Chamber being assembled on pier next to Naval Experimental Diving Unit.

& Recovery Handling System. The system 

is designed for deployment using military 

aircraft and standard, commercial over-theroad tractor/trailers without special permits. 

SAT FADS is also designed to be hosted 

by any commercial vessel of opportunity 

(VOO). This configuration eliminates dependence on specially configured transportation assets or dedicated host ships.

SAT FADS utilizes a Diving Bell for 

the transport of 3 saturation Divers to the 

work site and return. The dive bell mates 

with the Outer Lock of the Deck Decompression Chamber (DDC) which provides 

for a lock out between the main habitability space and the dive bell. Additionally 

the Outer Lock provides for shower and 

lavatory. The Living Compartment is the 

primary component of the DDC and it 

provides for controlled decompression of 

6 Divers after mission requirements have 

been completed.

The Handling System is used 

for Dive Bell deployment and 

recovery, utilizing hydraulic 

controls to actuate an A-frame 

and raise and lower the bell. 

The Dive Bell is connected 

to the surface by an umbilical. The umbilical provides 

all breathing gas, power requirements, transmission of 

command and control telemetry, video signals, system parameters and status data, and 

two-way audio communications to/from Control Van, as 

well as providing the strength 

member for deployment and 

recovery of the Dive Bell. 

The Control Van houses the 

communication system, gas 

management system, electrical distribution 

system, and gas analysis system.

SAT FADS completed the fabrication phase 

of the acquisition lifecycle in June 2010 

and was subsequently relocated to Navy 

Experimental Dive Unit (NEDU) in Panama 

City, Florida where it has been reassembled 

in preparation for System Integration Testing (unmanned). SAT FADS is scheduled 

to complete its first manned dive prior to 

the end of the fiscal year. The system will 

continue through operational evaluation 

accomplished through successive manned 

dives, pier side, until successful conclusion 

of a 1,000 foot dry saturation dive. Initial 

Operational Capability will occur shortly 

after the conclusion of at-sea operational 

evaluations.

CDR Thomas, SAT FADS Program 

Manager, will be departing 00C on 1 October 2010 for a 1 year IA tour. Mr. Paul 

McMurtrie, SAT FADS Deputy Program 

Manager, is currently taking over the reins 

as the SAT FADS Program Manager.

CDR Scott W. Thomas is an Engineering 

Duty Officer at NAVSEA 00C, and the SAT 

FADS Program Manager.

Photo credits:

HM1 Charassi Gilmore Duff, Navy Experimental Diving Unit, Panama City, Florida

SAT FADS Dive Team Dive Bell
10 October 2010

Navy diving commands continually prioritize their training to support operational and production requirements. The environment 

that many dive commands operate in is 

as dynamic as ever, supporting the need 

for a combined effort to meet both command specific and community (Navy 

Diver) training obligations.

In October 2009, leaders from Mobile Diving Salvage Unit TWO (MDSU 

TWO), Expeditionary Support Unit 

(ESU), Explosive Ordnance Disposal 

Training and Evaluation Unit TWO 

(EODTEU TWO), Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and Military Sealift Fleet 

Support Command (MSFSC) met to discuss effectively utilizing regional assets 

to conduct a Master Diver (MDV) prescreener in the Spring of 2010. The initiative was prompted by a combination 

of an extraordinarily high attrition rate at 

MDV evaluations in 2009, and the west 

coast regions successful completion of a 

pre-screener in the Fall of 2009.

In January 2010, key members assigned to a winter Patuxent (PAX) 

River Dive Supervisor Training availability onboard USNS APACHE (TATF 172) were pulled to support relief and salvage operations in Haiti. 

As a result, members of NNSY’s dive 

locker had to work hand in hand with 

MDSU TWO and MSFSC to cover 

the 08 -12 February training. 

During the planning process, NDC 

(DSW/SW) Michael Kenefic and his 

company were completing a six month 

deployment on-board USNS GRAPPLE 

(T-ARS 53), supporting theater security 

cooperation (TSC) and for Ethiopian 

Airlines FLT 409 salvage and recovery 

efforts off the coast of Lebanon. Other 

MDSU TWO companies were deployed 

OCONUS to AFRICOM, CENTCOM, 

and the Republic of Haiti, as well as two 

separate F-18 aircraft recoveries in South 

Carolina and one T-34 aircraft recovery 

off the coast of Louisiana. MDSU TWO 

Divers would integrate with NNSY and 

NR NAVSEA 00C Divers to carry out 

the PAX river pre-screener. 

With four weeks between their 

company’s return from deployment and 

APACHE’s on-load on 25 April 2010, 

the commands combined in an expertly 

choreographed week of introductions, 

mixed gas training, and equipment staging. The second week was a continuation of the same level of dedication and 

professionalism, setting up for and completing 25 scenario driven dives to challenge the five candidates in their ability to manage diving casualties.

Although the training was held to 

increase the level of knowledge of the 

candidates to improve their chances to 

successfully complete the rigorous MDV 

evaluation (MDV EVAL) process, all 24 

members, from Diving Officer to Diver 

benefited from the experience gained 

throughout the evolution. ND2 (DSW/

SW) Jason Young stated, “The MDV 

pre-screener was a great learning opportunity for me. I was able to see the kind 

of expectations put on a Master Diver 

Candidate and get a glimpse of the level 

of professionalism, knowledge, and leadership skills required to be a Master Diver.” MDV Zentz summed it up by pointing out, “This year alone, four of five 

candidates who participated in Hawaii’s 

pre-screener are now wearing the ‘Fat 

Pin’.”

Operational commitments will 

continue to challenge our ability to 

properly train Navy Divers throughout the fleet, regardless of their command’s mission. Using regional assets 

to develop creative ways to ensure the 

future success of all Divers is necessary. While the MDSUs must remain 

the single constant due to equipment, 

vessel of opportunity availability and 

training requirements, they cannot 

bear the entire burden of this recurring requirement without negatively 

impacting “real world” assignments. 

HOOYAH Navy Divers for coming 

together and making the regional pre-screeners a success on both 

coasts.

Special thanks to NDCS (MDV) 

John Coffelt, CAPT Reybold, and the 

USNS APACHE crew, as well as the 

following dive team members for their 

support and professionalism, making the 

operation a success:

MDSU TWO: CWO2 Toby 

Turner; NDCM (MDV/EXW/SW); 

Mike Sonnenberg; NDC (DSW/SW) 

Mike Kenefic; HMC (EXW/SW/FMF) 

Randy Groves; NDC (DSW/EXW) Jason Cook; NDC (DSW/EXW/SW) Will 

Wittman; ND1 (DSW/EXW/SW) Geoffrey Smitman; ND1 (DSW/SW) Jeffrey Whisnant; ND1 (DSW/SW) Taylor 

Arne; ND2 (DSW/SW) Jason Young; 

ND2 (DSW) Matthew Trautman; ND2 

(SW) Paul Blakely; ND2 (SW) Brett 

Kirkhart; ND2 (SW) David Morrell; 

NNSY: NDCS (MDV) Steve Zentz; ND2 

(DSW) Andrew Gose; ND2 (DSW) Martin Horan; ND2 (DSW) Sean McConnell; 

NR NAVSEA OOCND1 Bobby Crawford.

NDCS (MDV) Stephen Zentz, Norfolk Naval 

Shipyard, Norfolk, VA.

Congratulations to graduates of 

10-30-MDV: 

NDCS (MDV) Sean Murray

NDCS (MDV) Dave Jones

NDCS (MDV) Tyson Hoover

NDC (MDV) Tony Pierick

NNSY and MDSU2 Divers enter fridged water 

in Patuxent River.
October 2010 11

U.S. Army officials visited the 

Center for Explosive Ordnance 

Disposal and Diving (CEODD) Learning Site at Great Lakes Naval Station, 

March 23-25, in an effort to streamline 

their training process and reduce the drop 

out rate of Soldiers training to become 

explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

Tour participants included representatives from the Department of Army 

Headquarters, the Army’s 59th Ordnance 

Brigade, Redstone Arsenal, and the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal 

(NSEOD).

“By Department of Defense directive, the Navy is the single manager for 

EOD Technology and Training,” said 

Capt. Adam Guziewicz, Commanding 

Army Officials Tour CEODD Learning Site in Effort to 

Streamline Ordnance Disposal Training

Officer of NSEOD. “We are responsible 

for all individual common-core basic 

and advanced EOD training for all the 

Services. While it is a Navy-managed 

school, the Services drive our curriculum requirements. NSEOD and our Naval Education and Training Command 

(NETC) chain of command determine 

how to deliver that curriculum using 

NETC-approved processes.”

“The Navy’s EOD accession program has been successful preparing candidates for the rigors of EOD School,” 

added Guziewicz. “The Army is trying to 

gain insight on our accession process to 

improve their success rates. The demand 

for EOD Technicians from all Services 

has never been greater, so if Army EOD 

wins, we all win.”

Navy recruiters from the 

Navy and Dive/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Supply Chain 

Working Group (SCWG) and 

CEODD staff members briefed 

the Army team on the Navy’s 

“cradle-to-grave” concept of 

training that focuses on how the 

Navy integrates recruits and the 

step-by-step path they must follow to become an EOD Technician or Diver. 

Master Chief EOD Technician (EWS/FPJ) Tim Mendenhall, officer in charge of the 

learning site, hosted the visit and 

briefed attendees about 

CEODD’s EOD/Dive 

Preparatory Course, 

and gave a tour of the 

facilities and barracks 

to the Army team. The 

tour included the elite 

800 Division barracks, 

reserved for all Navy 

Divers, EOD, Special 

Warfare, and Aircrew 

recruits, which includes an area set aside 

to support the rigorous 

physical fitness training required of these 

rates.

Over the past five years, CEODD 

has made significant changes to the Navy 

Dive and EOD training pipelines, including establishing Navy Diver and EOD 

technician ratings, and shifting from fleet 

accessions to an off-the-street recruiting 

program, and establishing the SCWG to 

target and track Diver/EOD candidates, 

recruits and students. 

“The most positive effect of 

CEODD’s recent changes has been relief to our EOD operating forces,” said 

Mendenhall. “Our forward-deployed 

operators no longer have to recruit 

from in-service Sailors or run informal 

preparatory programs. Recruiting offthe-street, with boot camp and initial 

training here in Great Lakes, allows the 

Navy to recruit and train the required 

number of Divers and EOD technicians 

our operating forces require.”

To earn their basic EOD qualifications, students train extensively for 29 

weeks at NSEOD at Eglin Air Force 

Base, Fla. EOD students learn the essential skills required to combat unexploded 

ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive 

devices (IED), weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and for the Navy, underwater 

mine countermeasures (UMCM). 

At the end of the tour, the Army officials agreed that the visit was a success 

and that they had gained better insight 

into the entire recruiting and training process.

“I believe we will see great benefits from the information shared at 

Great Lakes,” said Jan Hamilton, director of Army EOD training. “It was a 

very enjoyable and enlightening experience.”

For more information on the Center 

for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving, visit the CEODD Web page at: https://

www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceneoddive/ 

For more news on the Naval Education 

and Training Command, visit the NETC 

Web site at: https://www.netc.navy.mil. 

Story by Naval Education and Training 

Command and Center for Explosive Ordnance and Disposal Public Affairs, USN.

CDR Egan (SUPDIVE) during a visit to RTC Great 

Lakes, IL at the Indoor Shooting Range, received 

instruction on the firing line from GM2 Acuna (Small 

Arms Instructor).

NDC Diller (Dive Motivator) at RTC Great Lakes, IL discusses with 

CDR Egan (SUPDIVE) and CAPT Peterson (CO, RTC Great Lakes) 

how he trains recruits in water survival during Basic Training.
12 October 2010

The Diving Navy has a strong and illustrious history that goes 

back to the middle of the nineteenth century. To become more acquainted with 

this history, you need only follow Master Diver Dave Gove’s weekly emails 

on “This Day in Diving History” or get 

copies of them from your 

command Master Diver. 

These are a fascinating collection of stories 

from our community’s 

vast and colorful history. 

But that history has only 

started to include women 

Divers since 1973 when 

Kati Garner became the 

first woman to graduate from SCUBA school 

at the 32nd Street Naval 

Station in San Diego. In 

1975, Donna Tobias went 

on to be the first woman 

to graduate from Second 

Class Dive School and 

in 1979 Sue Trukken 

became the first woman 

to graduate from Basic 

Diving Officer School. 

It wasn’t until 1990 that 

Mary Bonnin became 

the first and so far, the 

only woman to reach 

the pinnacle within the 

diving community, Master Diver. However, on 

August 1st, 2010, in an office 5,900 

feet above sea level, in a narrow valley wedged between the Hindu Kushi 

mountains of Kabul, Afghanistan, another pinnacle was reached. Navy Diver 

Martha Herb became the first woman 

Diving Officer, Active or Reserve, to 

be promoted to Rear Admiral!1

 Martha was promoted by VADM Bob Harward, a Navy SEAL and the event was 

teleconferenced to the EOD Technical 

Division in Indian Head, Maryland, so 

that her family could watch and participate, which made it a combined Diving/

EOD/SPECWAR Operation. 

Being a first is nothing new to Admiral Herb. As a woman in the diving community, it is something that she has done 

many times during her 31 year career. 

Commissioned through Officers 

Candidate School in July 1979, she was in 

the first cadre of women to graduate from 

the Navy School of Diving and Salvage 

in Washington DC in 1980 and serve as 

a Special Operations Officer (Diving and 

Salvage). Being in the first cadre meant 

that she was a “first” at virtually every 

command in which she served. Thus she 

was the first woman Diver at Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE, San Diego, 

California to direct the Navy’s Underwater Hull Cleaning program and to resource and execute the West Coast fleet’s 

underwater hull repair requirements. 

During this tour she was able to deploy 

aboard USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD 

37) and qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). One must remember this was 

a time when women were only allowed 

to serve on tenders 

and underway time 

was limited. Thus 

Martha was one of 

the first few women 

to qualify as a SWO. 

Her second tour of 

duty, another first, 

was as the Officer-inCharge of the COMN AV S U R F L A N T 

Second Class Diving 

School.

I n 1 9 8 3 , s h e 

turned her focus to 

raising a family but 

remained affiliated 

with the Navy Reserve, continuing 

to set high standards for herself and 

others, while commanding four units. 

For example, during her command of 

Mobile Diving Salv a g e U n i t T W O 

DET 608 in Jacksonville, FL, her unit was awarded 

the coveted CAPT Rick Jones Award 

for Diving and Maintenance Excellence. As CO of Afloat Training Group 

DET 202 in Alameda, CA, her unit was 

awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious 

Unit Commendation for excellence in 

integration and training prior to deployment. As Commanding Officer of Naval 

Ordnance Safety and Security Activity 

HQ in Indian Head, Maryland, her command provided Ordnance inspections 

across the globe. She gained experience 

Navy Diver Makes History in

Afghanistan Mountains!

By Bobbie Scholley, CAPT(ret), USN and Dr. Darlene Iskra, CDR(ret), USN

RDML Martha Herb receives her star from VADM Bob Harward in Kabul, Afghanistan, while her family watches by teleconference at EOD TECHDIV, Indianhead, MD
October 2010 13

1

There are two other Special Operations Admirals, both EOD active duty, RADM Mike Tillotson, currently Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in Little Creek, VA who made history as the first Special Operations Officer to be promoted to Flag Officer, and RDML Frank Morneau, currently OPNAV N85 in Washington, 

D.C. was the second EOD Officer promoted to Flag Officer.

in the inter-agency process as a member 

of the Joint Staff while serving as the 

OIC of the Navy Reserve Unit attached 

to the United States Military Delegation 

to the NATO Military Committee. During a portion of this assignment, she also 

served additional duty as the US Fleet 

Forces Enterprise Director for (NCAGS) 

Naval Cooperation and Guidance for 

Shipping, supervising 192 personnel 

working merchant shipping coordination 

and partnership with our NATO allies, 

partners and contact countries.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Admiral Herb graduated from Lake Forest 

College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts 

in English and French. In 1992 she received a Master of Arts in Education and 

Human Development at George Washington University, and in 1996 earned a 

Doctorate in Education with a specialty 

in Counseling and Military Families. 

She received the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors Student Research Award for her 

dissertation work “Navy Deployments: 

The Relationship of Deployment Stress 

and Family Environment in Military 

Families.” In her civilian career, Admiral 

Herb is the Deputy Director of the Christian Counseling Center of Annapolis, a 

not-for-profit Counseling Center.

Prior to her 

deployment to Afg h a n i s t a n , s h e 

s e r v e d a s t h e 

D e p u t y C o m -

mander Navy Region Southeast, 

Reserve Component Command, 

J a c k s o n v i l l e , 

F L , e x e r c i s -

ing oversight of 

28 Navy Operational Support 

Centers and 

1 7 , 0 0 0 S e -

lected Reservists geographically located 

i n 7 s t a t e s 

and the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico.

So what does a Navy Diver do in the 

land-locked country of Afghanistan? Actually, we’ve had many Divers deployed 

to Afghanistan over the years. As a matter 

of fact, Admiral Herb isn’t the first woman Diver to deploy there. CAPT Bette 

Bolivar deployed to Afghanistan for 12 

months in 2006. Rumor has it that there 

was plenty of advice exchanged and some 

equipment as well before Admiral Herb 

deployed. Admiral Herb is deployed in 

Afghanistan for a year as Chief, Joint 

Coordination Board where she provides 

oversight of a small branch which works 

closely with Afghan governmental officials in resolving disputes regarding the 

Military Technical Agreement. 

Martha is married to retired Captain 

Mike Herb, also a Navy Diver. They 

met while students at dive school, and 

according to a reliable source, were 

dive buddies during SCUBA phase. 

They rarely dove together during 

their respective careers, but while 

Mike was Commanding Officer 

of the Naval Diving and Salvage 

Training Center in Panama City, 

FL, they did a 15-year anniversary 

vow renewal at 15 fathoms, with 

CDR Sue Trukken, the first SpecOps woman officer and MDV Witunsky 

attending as Maid of Honor and Best 

Man. They now have been married for 

30 years, have two grown children and a 

grandson. This of course makes Martha 

the first Navy diving grandma to deploy 

to a warzone... But we doubt anyone 

would dare call the Admiral “Granny”!

Congratulations to Rear Admiral Martha Herb! And thank you to 

all our Divers serving in Afghanistan, 

Iraq and around the world.

Ensign Martha Herb training in MK V during 

Basic Diving Officer Course in 1980. She is 

one of the few women that trained and qualified in MK V prior to the US Navy discontinuing use of the MK V in 1982.

Basic Diving Officer School Class in 1980. Ensign Martha Herb is 

in the second row, first person on the left. Ensign Darlene Iskra is in 

the second row, middle person. LT Mike Herb is in the fourth row, the 

first person on the left. 

Dr. Darlene Iskra, CDR, USN (ret) was 

a dive school buddy of RADM Herb, 

and went on to make history herself 

as the first woman in the Navy to command a ship, the diving and salvage ship 

OPPORTUNE (ARS 41). She received 

her doctorate in Military Sociology 

in 2007. She is currently working on 

a book about women military Divers. 

You can contact her at dr.dariskra@

gmail.com.

CAPT Bobbie Scholley is a former CO, 

USS BOLSTER (ARS 38), CO MDSU 

TWO and SUPDIVE. She retired to 

Annapolis, MD after 24 years of service.
14 October 2010

On May 11, 2010, SWRMC Divers (Code 360C) 

began the MOD 25 propeller waterborne removal and installation procedure on USS CHEYENNE (SSN 

773). The fast attack submarine arrived at Naval Base 

Point Loma for a nine day availability prior to returning 

to homeport in Pearl Harbor, HI. The complexity of safely 

removing and reinstalling a 75,000- pound propeller underwater is difficult at best. 

This repair work was expertly supervised and managed 

by NDCS (MDV) Ryan Stewart, NDC (DSW/EXW) Jason 

Mette, ND1 (DSW/SW) Brad Bell, and ND1 (DSW) Nicholas Atkinson. In addition, Justin Pollack, NAVSEA 00C5 

UWSH Project Manager and Scott Heinemann, NAVSEA 

00C5 Marine Operations Specialist were on site to provide 

technical oversight. The dive team also received mechanical 

assistance from Lito Roque, ESSM Port Hueneme.

The 14-person dive team worked with NAVSEA 

00C5, Emergency Ships’ Salvage Material (ESSM), and 

Submarine Squadron 11 to requisition all essential gear 

to complete this arduous evolution. One 40-ton crane 

was pier side to transport rigging to the water’s edge, 

while a 50-ton floating crane was utilized for propeller lay down area and heavy lifts. Divers conducted the 

Visual Technical Inspection (VTI) on the replacement 

propeller prior to commencing diving. Once all the tools 

and materials were inventoried the dive team reviewed 

the work procedure and the various rigging set-ups.

USS

CHEYENNE

(SSN 773) 

Propeller

Replacement

By: ND1 Brad Bell
October 2010 15

The in-water phase started by removing the rope guards and fairwaters. 

This gave the Divers access to the gland 

seal ring and propeller cap fasteners. The 

next step was to determine what type of 

preservative was inside the propeller cap. 

There are two types of preservatives used 

as internal rust preventatives. If the last 

propeller replacement was conducted in 

dry dock there would be a wax like tallow used called Cosmoline. If the repairs were done in-water, Divers would 

have to use drain plugs on the propeller 

cap and hub. Since the last repairs were 

done in dry dock the dive team could 

shift the propeller cap to the pier, remove the Cosmoline and clean the surface area of the cap topside.

Divers worked on removing the 

torqued fasteners that held the gland 

seal ring in place. Once the gland seal 

ring was moved to the forward end of 

the shaft, Divers began breaking the propeller cap fasteners. Topside personnel 

worked on getting the rigging in place to 

remove the 2,000-pound propeller cap. 

After removing the propeller cap, the 

Divers started preparations for removing 

the pilgrim nut while topside rigged the 

pilgrim nut handling fixture. Once the pilgrim nut was removed and brought to the 

pier, the dive team reversed the pilgrim 

nut in the handling fixture so the loading ring was facing aft. Reinstallation 

of the pilgrim nut followed using a 100-

foot nylon sling to thread the nut back on 

the shaft. Divers inserted the withdraw 

studs into the hub and the 3,000-pound 

backing plate was positioned against the 

pilgrim nut. Topside could then pressurize in intervals up to maximum designed pressure to unseat the propeller 

off the shaft taper. The hydraulic intensifier unseated the propeller at 7,000 psi.

An 11,000-pound “J” bar designed 

specifically for the purpose of removing the MOD 25 propeller was then positioned to take the weight off the shaft. 

Once the propeller was ready for removal 

the crane transferred the damaged propeller to the lay down area where the new 

propeller awaited installation. As the new 

propeller was rigged in place the removal 

process is reversed as the new propeller 

was carefully rigged onto the shaft using 

the 11,000-pound “J” bar. This evolution 

requires extreme skill by Divers. Damage to a keyway or the threaded shafting, which is wrapped with aluminum 

sheeting, can set back the diving operations for days, if not weeks.

The new propeller was safely installed on time with concerns of swells 

from passing ships affecting the reinstallation process. This evolution was a testament to the skill and determination of the 

SWRMC Divers Charlie Crew and their 

support personnel. After working 12 to 16 

hour days with heavy waterborne rigging, 

this repair evolution encompassed over 

179 hours of total safe bottom time. This 

highly complex and technical Underwater Ship Husbandry repair effort saved 

PACFLT over 1 million dollars in repair 

funds and dry-dock avoidance and allowed the vessel to meet critical wartime 

and underway training commitments. .

Dive team members were instrumental in accomplishing this vital procedure 

and included the following personnel pictured here (back row from left): NDCS 

(MDV) Ryan Stewart, ND1 Michael 

Celestine, ND2 Blaise Schrader, ND1 

Roman Mersino, ND1 Brad Bell, ND1 

Jason Shurtz, BM3 Jason Aparicio, ND1 

Wayne Shearer, and ND2 Ben Eisenbarth; (front row from left) ND2 Christopher Peek, ND1 Lonn Trinidad, HM2 

Stephen Hood, ND1 Nicholas Atkinson, 

NDC Jason Mette, and Mr. Dan Jackson.

ND1 Brad Bell is the Leading Petty Officer for SWRMC Divers Charlie Team.

Article cover photo: NDC Jason Mette 

enters the water to begin installation of 

the new MOD 25 propeller.

Hooyah Navy Deepsea Divers!
16 October 2010 October 2010 17
18 October 2010

BU1(SCW/DV) Paskevic and PFC Giagnocavo 

operate hydraulic drill (HD-45), boring pile cap, 

anchorpoints into the bent overhead. Photo by MC2 

Christopher Lussier NECC Det Combat Camera 

Norfolk, Dive Locker.

Port-au -Prince Ship 

OUR Army/Navy Joint Task Force

Reclaims Haiti’s South Pier
October 2010 19

p ing Resumes :

The earthquake which decimated the nation of Haiti on 12 January 

2010 left a lasting impression on Portau-Prince’s main shipping pier. Two of 

three port operation cranes toppled into 

the sea, and while the main shipping pier 

(south pier) remained standing, it was 

left in critical condition. In response to 

this catastrophic natural disaster, the 

U.S. created Operation Unified Response 

(OUR) to provide humanitarian aid to the 

Haitian people. With current operations 

arising from the demands of a modern 

world, OUR exemplifies our ever changing role and directive, to not only deliver 

humanitarian relief, but to concurrently 

foster essential inter-military fellowship, 

critical to successful mission execution. 

The south pier, located 8 miles from the 

epicenter, was identified as the key sustainable logistic avenue to fulfill Haiti’s 

aid and commerce needs. The United 

States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) unhesitatingly looked to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) ONE to 

lead the pier recovery project.

UCT ONE’s unique operational 

capabilities qualified the command to 

provide host nation, diving engineering 

construction expertise. The south pier 

project, measured 870’ long and 60’ wide 

with 42 bents, and a total of 256 piles, 

most of which required serious repair, 

stands out as the largest undertaking a 

UCT has ever faced. The objective was 

to shore-up the pier by reattaching the 

nearly completely severed, support structures (piles) to the superstructure via 
20 October 2010

EOC(SCW/DV) Hurley & EOC(SCW/DV) Eckroth performing quality control inspections of 

pile-cap, repair, and formwork. Photo by MC2 Christopher Lussier NECC Det Combat Camera 

Norfolk, Dive Locker.

EA2(SCW/DV) Robins secures friction clamps that support concrete forms weighing several 

thousand pounds. Photo by CE3(SCW/DV) Dailey.

the caps (bents), effectively recovering 

80% of the piers pre-quake capabilities. 

NAVFAC engineers intended to use custom formwork and underwater concrete 

injection techniques that rely on friction 

clamps for support and stability.

UCT ONE’s Command Master Chief Tim Menzie, and Operations 

CWO3 Lowell Schrader led the charge 

boarding the USNS GRASP, a Military 

Sealift Command ship salvage vessel, 

carrying 17 members of the army’s 544th 

Engineer Dive Team, to arrive at Port-auPrince on Jan. 18th. In a show of support 

to UCT ONE’s pier assessment and repair 

mission, the U.S. Navy mobilized units 

from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Naval 

Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EOD) 

TWO, and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) TWO. The developing Joint Operations team aggressively 

assessed the condition of the port. Relying 

on the army Divers’ hydrographic survey 

capability, the team expertly mapped the 

ocean floor for obstructions and depth, 

while augmented Divers from both the 

Army and Navy units performed a visual inspection of the south pier.

Barely in homeport for a month, 

returning from the team’s first Global 

Force Management (GFM) deployment, 

UCT ONE’s Construction Dive Detachment (CDD) ALFA rallied to the call of 

an execution order for their immediate 

deployment to Haiti. In the fastest and 

most complete pack-out in UCT ONE’s 

history, the entire command flew into action, assembling ALFA’s entire Table of 

Allowance (TOA) in a single day that 

stretched deep into the night. CDD ALFA 

landed in Haiti on January 21, promptly 

establishing it’s footprint in a port compound where an advance party of MDSU 

TWO Divers had expeditiously formed a 

Contingency Operating Location (COL). 

In less than two days, the team began the 

south pier assessments while concurrently improving their operating and living 

conditions at the COL.

Old bonds renewed and new ones 

formed quickly as colleagues and counterparts, from all branches of the military, 

met and rebuilt interoperable capabilities in support of the Haitian Joint Service Humanitarian Mission. The sheer 

magnitude of the repairs needed to stabilize the south pier demanded cohesive 

inter-military relations, coupled with 

a venue open to the exchange of ideas 

and techniques. Five UCT ONE Divers shared their expertise as authorities 

in this type of pier repair, having direct 

experience from similar, smaller scale, 

missions in the past. Faced with such 

adversity, camaraderie was sure to ensue 

and strengthen joint-service cooperation, 

a supreme example of the type of interservice development promoted by the 

Theater Security Cooperation Program 

(TSCP) of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and 25th NCR.

Reacting to a 5.9-magnitude aftershock, NAVFAC engineers ordered a 

level 2 pier assessment to gather critical 
October 2010 21

data for calculating the pier’s integrity, 

to accurately determine the viability of 

continuing the south pier recovery efforts. Despite the logistical handicaps 

inherent in disaster relief support efforts of this 

nature, the joint service 

team, lead by UCT ONE, 

rallied together adapting 

to the unique demands of 

the project. The NAVFAC 

engineers gave the project 

an all-ahead-full, whereupon the Joint Task Force 

(JTF) team summarily formulated an action plan and 

Bill of Materials (BOM) to 

complete the mission.

On February 4th, the 

joint operations of the 

544th Engineer Dive Team 

and UCT ONE went deep 

sea in shallow waters, as 

the planning and logistics 

came together seamlessly 

with the first arrival of non organic essential equipment and supplies. The Joint 

Operations Dive Team had as many as 

three dive sides operating at once, from 

the MK 20 Surface Supplied Diving to 

Scuba and surface swimmers. Equipped 

with a BOM in hand, the team began testing the proposed friction clamp designs 

while chipping and cleaning the piles and 

bents in preparation for rebar caging and 

concrete formwork.

After securing the friction clamps 

in place, UCT ONE Divers paired off 

with Army Divers, to operate the underwater hydraulic drills. Perched on a 

friction clamp the team of Divers shared 

the burden of the 45lb hydraulic drill as 

they bore anchor points into the bents 

overhead. Following the drilling crew 

was a vertical rebar crew, equipped 

with Hilti-epoxy guns, inserting 24” 

to 40” rebar into the pre-drilled anchor 

points. Expertly matching their teammates performance, a third crew installing horizontal rebar advanced with an 

efficiency that only spurred their counterparts to strive harder. The competitive nature of the diving community is 

a resource in and of itself that exemplifies the highest values of the joint 

forces serving our country while setting 

an example to service member of host 

nations.

On 11 February, rain came in hard 

and profuse overnight, washing weeks of 

accumulated filth, and debris into the bay. 

With a surface slick of an unknown comwork, friction clamps, and deployable 

55gal drum, or Styrofoam barges. The 

barges served to effectively, and efficiently mobilize the Hydraulic Power Units (HPU’s), support 

the pump hoses, and relay 

supplies and reconstituted 

essential components to the 

diving teams. The expedient form enhancement 

team, (an intermediary between the formwork crews 

and the Divers) established 

and improved operational efficiency, reconstituting essential components 

while utilizing the barges as 

sea level pre-staging platforms, allowing dive teams 

to function with greatly reduced logistic delays.

On 16 February, the JTF 

injected their first form. By 1 

March the Army/Navy Dive 

Team completed 100% of the 

drilling and placement of vertical rebar, 

as well as the placement of all the horizontal rebar cages, and topped off the day 

by injecting 4 double and 4 single forms 

for a total of 8 forms. A milestone was 

met on 13 March when the team injected 

a total of 10 separate concrete forms, a record only to be matched on the last day of 

concrete injecting. The reappearance of 

the milestone echoed the determination 

and resilience of the successful inter-service joint operation, laying a solid foundation for future joint endeavors.

Forging ahead, the Joint Task Force 

completed the south pier enterprise two 

weeks ahead of schedule, exceeding their 

mission objectives. The work done to 

the south pier in Port-au-Prince has empowered the Haitian government with a 

sustainable route for disaster relief aid, 

and ensured the evolution of future commerce. This operation is an outstanding 

example of inter-service cooperation and 

a great credit to all of the personnel involved.

PFC Winters, U.S. Army, secures friction clamps to support concrete form 

work weighing several thousand pounds. Photo by CE3(SCW/DV) Dailey.

EA2 (SCW/DV) James Robins 

is an Underwater Construction and 

Hydrographic Survey Technician 

for UCT ONE.

position peppered with human waste and 

garbage, the project leaders employed 

a water survey team to collect samples 

for delivery to the USNS COMFORT 

for analysis. Diving and project progress 

came to a staggering halt for two days, 

as well as prompting a health assessment 

of the dive team. Diving resumed on 13 

February with the news that the Port-auPrince waters were comparable to the 

water found in Portsmouth, VA. Operations continued with renewed vigor as 

the team completed drilling bents 14-

16, placing vertical rebar in bents 8 & 9, 

and forming the horizontal rebar cages 

through bents 6 & 7.

In no minor part, NMCB 7 augmented the south pier project with a detachment of skilled Seabees. All equipment 

and supplies were split between the 

operating barge and the MLO/Builder 

yard, located at the heart of the COL. 

The mission of the NMCB detachment 

to aid and support the UCT lead project, 

divided its ranks between the top-side 

concrete pump crew (located on the pier) 

and the highly mobile formwork manufacturing and development crew who 

transited between the builder yard and 

form staging locations along the pier. 

The formwork crews’ mission was to assemble pre-fabricated and custom form-
22 October 2010

GREEN GAS AND PRESSURE....

By: MDV Jim Mariano

Anchored off the coast 

of Port au Prince, Haiti 

in support of Operation Port 

Opening, the USNS GRASP (TARS 51) received radio traffic on Janua ry 29th requesting the status of their 

recompression chamber for 

treatment of a Haitian fisherman suffering from Decompression Sickness (DCS). Immediately, CAPT Dale Fleck 

(CTG 42.1), CAPT Pat Keenan (SUPSALV) and Master Diver Jim Mariano (CTG 

42.1 Salvage Advisor) were 

notified and the decision was 

made that the treatment would 

go hand in hand with the 

port clearance and repair effort already taking place. Details on the incident were sketchy and 

no other information on the patient’s 

condition or actual arrival time could be 

obtained. It wasn’t until the afternoon 

of 31 January that GRASP was notified the patient was inbound from a Canadian Field hospital near the border of 

Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Expected arrival time was 1630.

During this time, it was confirmed 

that that this incident was indeed diving 

related and the fisherman’s dive profile 

was approximately 120/90, placing him 2 

schedules beyond the exceptional exposure limit. He was suffering severe muscle weakness from the waist down, and 

was catheterized and on IV fluids; however, he had not received oxygen since 

symptom onset almost 72 hours ago. It 

was obvious that recompression beyond 

60fsw would have little benefit so a treatment plan was set in place for a TT6 with 

maximum extensions. In conjunction 

with changes in Rev 6 of the U.S. Navy 

Dive Manual, it was decided to use the 

drug Heparin to avoid a possible clotting 

of the blood due to how long the patient 

had been suffering from lower extremity weakness. CDR Dominitz, (MDSUTWO DMO) was contacted and concurred with the treatment plan and would 

provide medical backing for the chamber 

team to obtain Heparin from the USNS 

COMFORT (T-AH 20), also engaged in 

the humanitarian operation.

Upon arrival, the patient was evaluated by HM1(IDC) Steve Coleman (MDSU-TWO, Company 2-1). His findings 

confirmed severe weakness along with 

numbness from the waist down. Using the Canadian doctors as interpreters 

HM1 Coleman described the treatment 

procedure, administered Heparin to the 

patient and had him sign a consent form. 

When asked about his dive profile the patient, (nicknamed “Adi”), informed them 

of the following; He speared fish for a 

living. He had a compressor on his boat 

with a weighted hose attached. He would 

lower the hose to whatever depth the 

fishing was good and breath hold down 

to the end of the hose. Once on the bottom he would take a breath, venture out, 

shoot his fish and return to the hose for 

a breath, then do it all over again. When 

asked if he ever felt like this before his response was yes, but he felt better the next 

day once back to work. His bottom time 

ended when he shot enough fish, was too 

tired or, “didn’t feel good!” After getting 

somewhat of a patient history, and taking 

into account it had been over 72 hours 

since the onset of symptoms, significant 

improvement was not expected but the 

effort would be made. At approximately 

2130 the chamber left surface under the 

supervision of Master Diver Jim Mariano, Army Master Diver Tracy 

Bower of the USA 544th Eng 

Dive Team and HM1 Coleman serving as primary tender. Initially an interpreter 

was not required, but once 

on BIBS it became evident 

that the French language 

spoken by the Canadians 

didn’t quite correlate with 

the “Creole” spoken by the 

Haitians. CWO2 Tim Andros 

(MDSU-TWO) made some 

phone calls and a logistics 

Specialist, who happened to 

be a native of Port au Prince, 

was found onboard COMFORT. The young Logistics 

Specialist was rousted out 

of his rack and transported to 

GRASP to serve as an interpreter for the 

remainder of the treatment.

By the time the chamber left 60fsw, 

Adi had mild weakness in his lower extremities and decreased sensation in both 

legs vice the severe weakness and numbness found pre-treatment. Halfway into 

the 2nd O2

 period at 30fsw the patient 

started to fall asleep and it was noticed 

that the oxygen regulator was only showing deflection in 40-50 second intervals. 

A round of vitals was made and found 

that Adi had a resting pulse of 40-45 and 

respirations of 2-4 per minute! Because 

the treatment team needed the patient 

awake and breathing at a normal respiratory rate, sleep was out of the question.

Due to language barriers and other 

issues, total treatment time came to 8 

hours and 40 minutes. Upon completion 

of the treatment, Adi, (with assistance) 

walked away from the chamber and onto 

the fantail. A post neuro exam was conducted by HM1 which revealed minor 

weakness and almost complete return of 

sensation. Adi spent the rest of the day 

under the observation of an Army medic 

while the chamber team went back to 

work with the rest of the Divers repairing the south pier. Master Diver Mariano 

contacted CDR Dominitz and both concurred that consideringthe amount of 

O2

 the patient had already received adHM1(IDC) Coleman and a smiling Adi getting ready to leave surface 

on the second recompression treatment.

WONDERS NEVER CEASE
October 2010 23

ditional hyperbaric oxygen treatments, in accordance with hyperbaric 

medicine protocols for 

residual DCS, posed 

more of a risk for pulmonary oxygen toxicity 

than a single TT6. The 

decision was made to 

give Adi a 12hr surface 

interval and then commence a TT6 the following evening.

As the Divers returned to the GRASP 

at the end of the day, 

they found Adi on the 

fantail, holding the cap 

rail and doing deep 

knee bends, smiling from ear to ear! 

HM1 Coleman performed a neuro which 

discovered even less weakness and further improvement with sensation. Later 

that evening the chamber left surface 

with Adi, HM1 Coleman and a semisurprised chamber team. Adi was now 

accustomed to the procedures and was 

drawing off the bibs like there was no 

tomorrow. The standard TT6 went without issue but as expected, Adi was starting to show signs of pulmonary O2 toxicity towards the completion of the last 

30fsw O2 period. When Adi exited the 

chamber and stepped onto the non-skid 

of the fantail he kept saying “baby feet, 

baby feet”. Through the interpreter we 

found out what he meant. He hadn’t had 

that much feeling on the bottom of his 

feet in years....Imagine that!

In the morning Adi was transported 

via the GRASP’s work boat to the south 

pier. Smiling and waving, 

Adi climbed unassisted, 

into the back seat of a 

HUMVEE with his Canadian entourage, bound 

for his home town. As 

the Hummer left the pier, 

the looks on the Diver’s 

faces said it all. They 

had returned the quality of life to an individual 

who would have otherwise been sentenced to a 

wheelchair and catheter 

for his remaining years. 

I t w a s a l o n g t w o 

days but well worth 

the effort. You can’t put 

a price tag on the training and experience, and you sure as 

hell can’t beat the personal satisfaction that was felt by all. HOOYAH 

DEEP SEA goes out to all the Divers from MDSU-TWO (Company 

2-1), UCT-ONE and the Army 544th 

Engineering Dive Team.

I

ryll W. Jones III ENC (SW/PJ/DV) USN (Retired) served on the USS ORLECK (DD 886), USS 

PRAIRIE (AD 15), Navy Experimental Diving Unit, USS HOIST (ARS 40), USS ORTOLAN (ASR 22), Naval Medical Research Institute (Diving Research Support Detachment), USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39), USS SIMON LAKE (AS 33) and NAVEODTECHDIV.

A friend got Iryll started making wines around three years ago under the “Sat Rat 

Winery” label as a hobby. The label has a hand drawn picture of a Sat Rat, Chief’s anchor, MK 25 with number 310, all are items significant in Iryll’s diving career (retired Sat Diver Chief, MK 25 first experimental diving rig, MK 16 rig number). Iryll 

has experimented with different wines and has 39 recipes developed to this date. 

How HOOYAH 

Are You?

The perfect evening, watching 

“Men of Honor”, and enjoying 

a glass of wine.

What has become of Navy 

Divers?

From left to right: Commodore Dale Fleck, MDV Tracy Bower, Canadian Doctor, Adi, 

HM1 Coleman, Canadian DMO, and MDV Jim Mariano.

MDV Mariano was serving as the EOD Group TWO 

Master Diver and deployed to Haiti as the Salvage 

Advisor for Commodore Fleck (COMEODGRU 

TWO). He is now stationed in the training dept at 

MDSU-TWO, Little Creek, VA.
24 October 2010

During a magnificent 

Women Divers Hall 

of Fame (WDHOF) 10th Anniversary Celebration in Secaucus NJ, on March 26, 2010, 

Chief Petty Officer Roseanne 

Oliveros became the first and 

only Underwater Construction Technician to be inducted 

into WDHOF. She has worked 

incredibly hard over the last 10 years to 

earn the qualifications that got her into 

the prestigious international honorary 

organization. Chief Oliveros is currently the Officer in Charge of Diving 

Detachment Bravo at Underwater Construction Team TWO (UCT TWO) in 

Port Hueneme, CA. She is the first and 

only female Chief Petty Officer to be assigned in that role, one of the many firsts 

that she’s had along her career in the US 

Navy. And that distinction was a key factor in her selection to WDHOF.

Chief Oliveros was one of ten 

women from around the world to be 

selected for induction into WDHOF as 

they celebrated their 10th Anniversary. This prestigious group of new inductees included a cave 

Diver from Australia, a 

shark researcher from 

South Africa, several 

diving media experts, 

diving industry leaders, and underwater researchers. Chief Oliveros was able to travel to 

Secaucus for the formal 

Awards Dinner during 

the Beneath the Sea Exposition, where she was 

presented her certificate 

of membership. And in 

the purely Navy tradition, she was “pinned” 

by WDHOF members, 

CAPT Erica Sahler, 

her former UCT TWO 

Commanding Officer 

and now the Director 

of the Navy Ocean Facilities Program and retired CAPT Bobbie Scholley, the current President of 

WDHOF. To make the evening even more 

special, Chief Oliveros was joined by her 

father, Lino Oliveros; mother, Marie Oliveros; and brother Lino Oliveros Jr., who 

all traveled from her hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico to support her.

Chief Oliveros is a 2000 graduate 

of US Navy Second Class Dive School 

and after serving as a Diver at UCT 

TWO, went on become the Honor Grad 

at First Class Dive School in 2004. She 

returned to UCT TWO and quickly 

proved both her diving and leadership 

skills. She was promoted to Chief Petty 

Officer in 2006 and became the Assistant Officer in Charge of Construction 

Diving Det Bravo and then on to Officer in Charge. In that position, she led 

her 15-man Det through a grueling 6 

month deployment to the Pacific Fleet, 

where she oversaw over 2,070 mandays of underwater construction on 6 

separate projects with zero safety incidents. She has also volunteered twice 

and been deployed for 6 months each 

time to Iraq. Chief Petty Officer Oliveros has recently been selected as a Chief 

Warrant Officer, another first for a woman Diver in the US Navy! Several other 

US Navy Divers, both retired and active 

duty attended the four day 10th Anniversary Celebration in Secaucus, NJ, and to 

help induct Chief Oliveros. Six USN WDHOF 

members were there 

to welcome her into 

the organization and 

five other USN Divers 

were also there to support Chief Oliveros. 

The celebration was 

held during the annual 

Beneath the Sea Convention, so there were 

many opportunities for 

exciting activities. Of 

the 176 WDHOF members, 59 were able to attend the festivities. The 

59 WDHOF members 

entered the Reception 

through a gauntlet of 

NROTC midshipmen 

“sideboys” which NDC 

Jones and ND1 AnderFollowing a Navy “tradition”, Chief 

Roseanne Oliveros is pinned by Capt Erica 

Sahler, Director, Naval Ocean Facilities 

Program while Capt(ret) Bobbie Scholley, 

President, WDHOF watches.

US Navy Members attending the WDHOF 10th Anniversary Celebration (left 

to right): ND1 Helen Andersen, NDC Rebecca Jones, WDHOF Members: Dr. 

Darlene Iskra, Capt(ret), Bobbie Scholley, Capt(ret), Karin Lynn, Capt(ret), 

Capt Erica Sahler, EAC (SCW/DV) Roseanne Oliveros, Capt Martha Herb, 

CDR Rene Hernandez, Mike Herb, Capt(ret), and WDHOF supporter CDR 

Gail Chapman, Courtesy of BTS.

WDHOF Adds USN Diver... continued on pg.30
October 2010 25

Crossword Puzzle

U.S Navy Dive Manual: Chapter 20 - Diagnosis and Treatment 

of Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism

Crossword answers on pg.30

ACROSS 

1. The most common symptom of DCS is _____. 

2. One of the three primary objectives of recompression 

treatment is to allow sufficient time for bubble _____.

3. Never fail to treat _____ cases of DCS. 

4. Deviation from approved USN treatment tables shall 

only be made with the recommendation of a _____.

5. The onset of A.G.E. symptoms is usually sudden and 

 dramatic, often occurring within _____ after arrival on 

surface.

6. Cutis Marmorata is _____ of the skin.

7. The most common skin manifestation of DCS is _____.

DOWN

8. Symptom of A.G.E. _____.

9. While moving a patient to a recompression chamber, 

the patient should be kept _____.

10. Dive supervisor is responsible to ensure that every 

member of the diving team has successfully com 

pleted _____.

11. The symptoms of inner ear DCS include _____.

12. A diver who surfaces unconscious and recovers 

when exposed to fresh air shall receive a _____ 

evaluation to rule out A.G.E.
26 October 2010

Cathy Carpenter passed away on April 23, 2010 at the age of 56. Cathy was the Program Manager for the Defense Compressed Air Testing Program at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida. Cathy played a key role during the contract 

award process, doing the work and research necessary for contract award in FY2010. 

Many Fleet activities depend on the Diver’s Air Sampling Program. The sampling program provides the unique testing needed to meet Navy requirements as well as the gas sampling program for the US Army Mobile Safe Station. Cathy was a valued member of the 

Navy Diving community and played a large role in Diver safety and performance. 

Written by: Mr. James Fenner

John “Jack” Raymond Lynch Jr. Lieutenant, U.S. Navy Seal (Retired) passed away on February 15, 2010, at the age of 66. He joined the U.S. Navy at age seventeen and served honorably for twenty-two years as a senior enlisted man and officer 

in operational commands with key positions in operations, intelligence, training, research and development, testing and evaluation 

with operational and international experience.

 Jack served as a cook and deck seaman onboard a fleet tug and graduated from 

Underwater Demolition Team, Replacement Training Class 29 in 1963. He then 

served with Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team 2 with assignments 

as a cartographer, communicator, sub ops, swimmer delivery vehicle pilot and Navy 

SEAL Instructor. He taught communications, demolitions and combat firearms courses. He made numerous operational and combat deployments, special assignments and 

Mobile Training Team detachments. 

Jack attended Second Class, First Class, and Saturation Diving Schools and was 

assigned to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) as a human test subject. 

He then was assigned to Naval Sea Systems Command and the State 

Department assisting the Supervisor of Salvage for the Suez Canal Clearance in 1974. 

His experience with explosives was instrumental in developing techniques to section 

ships using shaped charges.

Jack returned to the NEDU in 1975 and was assigned as Team Leader on the 

first 1000-foot saturation dive in the Ocean Simulation Facility, Panama City, FL. 

He was selected and served with Chief of Naval Operations “Special Projects” 

where he was an operational team leader for classified operations.

 Upon commissioning Jack assumed duties onboard the USS SPERRY 

(AS 12) as Boatswain and Diving Officer. He received a “Succession to 

Command” letter from his Commanding Officer and in 1980 

assumed duties as Officer in Charge, Navy School Deep Diving Systems (NSDS) and Diving Officer 

of the MK II Deep Diving System on the USS ELK RIVER. 

Jack was a qualified Navy SEAL, Surface Warfare Officer, Navy Parachutist, Saturation Diving Officer and Salvage Officer. He had a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a Master Firearms Instructor Certification. He was also a commercial airline pilot 

and former Virginia Special Deputy Sheriff. He was actively involved with the American 

Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus and the Man in The Sea 

Memorial. At the time of Jack’s death he was the President of UDT/SEAL Association 

and member of the Board of Directors of the Naval Special Warfare Foundation. Jack was 

instrumental in the development of the SEAL Heritage Community Center which is being 

dedicated in his name. Written by: Mr. Iryll W. Jones III 
October 2010 27

Clyde Michael (Mike) Einhellig, BMCM (MDV) (SW) USN (Retired) passed away on 25 March 2010. Mike served his Navy and his Country as a Sailor for thirty-four years. He 

started his career in the Navy as a Ship Serviceman striker aboard the ice breakers USS EDISTO 

(AGB-2) and USS GLACIER (AGB-4). He then shifted to the Boatswains Mate rating and became a Navy Diver with duty at the Submarine Base, New London, First Class Diving School, 

Washington, DC, USS TRINGA (ASR 16), and USS SUNBIRD (ASR 15). On TRINGA he was 

the Tow Master for the tow of SEAWOLF (SSN 575) after her grounding and loss of rudder and 

stern planes off of New England in January 1968. The seas were heavy and the winds were howling, Mike worked extra hard like the professional he was to keep everyone safe and get the job 

done. Mike stayed on deck for almost the entire trip in. On SUNBIRD he was the Tow Master for 

NR 1, the Navy’s nuclear powered research submarine.

After qualification as Master Diver in 1972, Mike served at the Escape Training Tank, New 

London and aboard USS SIMON LAKE (AS 31) and USS CANOPUS (AS 34) in Rota, Spain. He then spent two years as an 

instructor at the Washington Navy Yard Diving and Salvage School followed by three years in Panama City, Florida after the 

school’s transfer there. While in Panama City he became a co-owner of the “10 Foot Stop”.

His final seven years of active duty career were spent at the Naval Support Facility Dive Locker, Diego Garcia, British 

Indian Ocean Territories; Ship Repair Facility Dive Locker, Subic Bay. Republic of the Philippines; and on USS PROTEUS (AS 19) in 

Guam where he met his wife, Wendy.

From 1991 to 2001 Mike worked for SEA 00C as a Diving System Safety Certification Manager, inspecting Navy Dive Lockers and continuing to help young Navy Divers learn their trade. After retirement from NAVSEA 00C and moving to Panama City, 

Mike continued to provide support to the diving community by assisting on safety certification audits. Clyde Michael Einhellig 

will be the first Diver inducted into the Man in the Sea Museum Memorial Wall.

On 03 April 2010, the remains of BMCM (MDV) Clyde Michael Einhellig were transported to sea by the 

Navy Dive School Training vessel (YDT-17) and he was buried at sea, with full military honors. As fate would have it, 

Mike was also the Certification Manager who originally Certified the YDT-17 as “Safe For Manned Use” by the young 

Navy Diver trainees, whose well-being always meant so much to him. 

Mike will be remembered for his ever present big smile, infectious good humor, and love of practical jokes. 

He could take it as well as dish it out. Fair winds and following seas shipmate. Written by: Mr. Gary Crawford, & Mr. Robert 

Warren

Harry Baynes, LT. USN, Retired, Program Office manager for the PMS 399 Dry Deck 

Shelter (DDS) Program passed away peacefully on 10 March 2010. He was at home with 

his family. Harry was not a Diver, but he developed into a champion of a very dangerous and highly 

technical program of Special Warfare diving and mission support. From 1991 to 1993, Harry was 

the SUBRON ONE Quality Assurance Officer at a formative time for the DDS program. The Navy 

leadership was growing the program into a more reliable asset, upgrading from a one DDS and one 

submarine combination to three shelters and four submarines in the Pacific area of operations. This 

major increase in readiness and asset availability continued to blossom under his technical scrutiny. In 1993, Harry asked for and was transferred to SEAL Delivery Team ONE stationed in Pearl 

Harbor, Hi. During his three year tour there, he was instrumental in bringing DDS/SDV assets up 

to full-time mission readiness and maintaining that status. Harry retired on 1 March 1998 and was 

promptly scooped up by the Deep Submergence Program Office, PMS395, which later became 

PMS 399. Harry was asked to do the one thing he did better than anyone else, “Wade in and ensure 

these multi-million dollar assets are ready to meet their mission requirements.” Harry Bayne’s singular professional approach and 

community wide respect continued without let up till his passing. The Navy Diving and Special Warfare Communities have lost a 

giant of a “Hands-on, No BS, tell it like it is” program manager. Many good men benefitted professionally, technically, and as a friend 

or acquaintance by having served with him. I am one of the many. Written by: Mr. Ed Delanoy (CWO4, USN Ret) 
28 October 2010

The 2010 Divers Working Group (DWG), held in San Diego CA this May, was a success with over 225 Divers including 

Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. We had the privilege of having the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 

(MCPON) Rick West as a guest speaker, along with Commodore Lucas and Paul De Gelder from the Australian Navy who 

shared the story of his shark attack during a working dive.

This year we changed the format to include training breakout session which included: Salvage Calculations, MK-21 Communications, Bauer Compressor 

maintenance, and PMS EOD 

Ship Hull Database.

The open forum for discussion items allowed Divers 

from all services and all levels 

to participate. There were a 

few breakouts for the Master 

Divers and Diving Warrants 

for specific community issues 

which were later back briefed 

to the group.

As we look to the future 

we encourage every Diver to 

submit feedback and ideas 

for upcoming Divers Working 

Groups to webdiver@supsalv.

org. The next DWG will be 

held in Panama City Fl 10-12 

May 2011.

Paul De Gelder

DIVERS WORKING GROUP 2010 HIGHLIGHTS

By: MDV Henry Stark

Able Seaman Clearance Diver Paul De Gelder, Royal Australian Navy 

attended the 2010 Divers Working Group 

and shared his extremely close encounter 

with a shark.

At 0630 on 11 February 2009 he 

was on the surface of the harbor waters 

of Sydney, Australia preparing for the 

day’s work when he was attacked by a 

ten-foot bull shark. He describes the attack as similar to “getting hit in the leg 

with a plank of wood”. “You don’t even 

feel the teeth go in,” he said. “I think 

the adrenaline, the panic, probably puts 

a numb on the pain and you don’t feel 

it.” The shark severed his right hand and 

removed a large chunk of his right thigh 

and then released him. His fellow Clearance Divers, Leading Seaman Jeremy 

Thomas, Able Seaman Ryan Dart, and 

Seaman Arthur McLachlin, pulled him 

into the boat and rushed him to shore 

where he was immediately transferred 

to St. Vincent’s Hospital. He lost a significant amount of blood and came close 

to death. The doctors consider the fact 

that the shark had not severed a major 

artery in his leg a significant factor in his 

ability to survive the trauma.

The surgeons were unable to save 

his leg which had to be amputated. With 

the support of the Australian Navy, his 

fellow Clearance Divers, family and 

friends, he began the intense rehabilitation, learning to use an artificial leg and 

a bionic hand. Three months after the 

attack he was in the water swimming 

with the sharks at Sydney’s Ocean World 

Aquarium. Within the first year he demonstrated the ability to handle high performance cars driving with one hand and 

his new leg, and was back at the beach 

riding his surfboard. Most recently, Paul 

has shared his story with various organizations including child cancer camps in 

Australia, and the United Nations in New 

York. He has also flown a plane, appeared in various television spots, and is 

back at work and diving again! Paul has 

overcome this extraordinary experience 

with grace, perseverance, and a positive 

attitude. His story is one of motivation 

and inspiration, and it was an honor to 

have him share his story with us.

NAVSEA 00C staff with Able Seaman Clearance Diver Paul De Gelder, Royal Australian 

Navy at the DWG 2010.
October 2010 29

Retired Navy Commander Edward C. Raymer holds nothing back in his description of Navy Diving salvage operations during the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. With at times shocking bluntness, his book, Descent into Darkness, gives a vivid and chilling account of the perilous occupation of a Navy Diver during World War Two. Writing in the 

first person, CDR Raymer takes the reader on a journey from the moments prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, when he volunteered for Navy Diver training, to his departure from the Pearl Harbor salvage scene in 1944. 

The Dive Profile

As the Senior Petty Officer-in-Charge of the diving team, First Class Petty Officer Raymer’s “primary work would involve 

finding any survivors and raising the sunken battleships to get them ready to go back to action...” The Salvage Divers faced multiple problems. As the author relates, “the scope of the Pearl Harbor operation had never been done before. There was no manual on 

how to do it. Many techniques were developed on the spot.” Raymer describes key events of the salvage operations for each major 

warship he personally assisted with, six in total. The Divers developed new ways to cut through thick hulls of warships. They created 

techniques to lift and recover heavy items from inside the vessels. Additionally, techniques were devised to maximize their work 

effort by reducing the weight of their heavy diving rigs on some operations. All of these diving operations, as Raymer describes it, 

were performed in pitch black visibility, in intense heat, under extremely dangerous and disgusting conditions. 

Raymer not only describes the chaotic scene of the damaged battleships, but also brings to life the difficult social scene at Pearl 

Harbor. He tells the frustrating tale of countless sailors “trapped” in Pearl Harbor with very little to do; alcohol was prohibited, 

there was a strict nighttime curfew, not to mention the large ratio of men to women. This is the lighter side of the book.

CDR Raymer’s book is a story of struggle and triumph. It is haunting and dark in its stories of countless human 

remains encountered by Navy Divers within the sunken ships. There are even darker parts detailing the tragic deaths 

of personnel during the salvage operations. However, the real point of this book is not the pervading death and devastation, but the perseverance of Raymer and his team to get the job done. They can teach us that, through back-breaking work and a “focus on the next step forward” attitude, anything can be accomplished. 

Navy Diver: A Comparison, Then and Now 

CDR Raymer’s book gives an honest look at a unique breed of sailor, one that is not too different from the current version. Little has changed with respect to the mission of the Navy Diver. Sure, technology and styles have changed, but the 

core mission is still intact. There are still daunting salvage operations that must be completed (e.g., Hurricane Katrina, the 

Haiti Disaster). There are situations that involve resourcefulness (e.g., Minneapolis Bridge Salvage, 2007). Raymer’s Dive 

team is one of many that have paved the way for the current generation. So perhaps Raymer’s book is a look at the future of 

Navy Diving, as well as a summary of the past. No matter the task, using stubbornness, ingenuity, and an undying spirit to get 

the job done, Descent into Darkness provides proof that Navy Divers have consistently stayed the course.

On Personal Note

I have been in the Navy for a modest and humbling 16 years. I have been a Diver for the majority of those years. Throughout this period, I was aware of CDR Raymer’s book, but never bothered to read it up until now. I do regret my stubbornness since 

this book opened my eyes to the awesome reality and pride of being a Navy Diver. Descent into Darkness gives us a perfect picture 

of what a Diver is: unique. We have the ability to innovate, improvise, and persevere. Additionally, when times get tough--and for a 

Navy Diver there are many times when things get tough--our ability to rise to the challenge is what separates us from the common 

fish. Despite all the sadness of the Pearl Harbor attack, I could not help but find much enjoyment reading the book. I laughed at the 

bios of each individual CDR Raymer described on his dive team. I am reminded of my first dive team with Chris “Bucky” Baker, 

Paul Lawson, Herb Packer, Dave Slowik, Matt Downs, Shawn Kolste, Brandon Ghan--led by our crusty Chief Ernie Bernie and the 

dominating figures of MDV Heinemen Heineman and MDV Storment. After all these years, I will never forget that line up and all 

the good times we had, to include the heartaches and troubles as well. These mentors, not to mention countless others, made me the 

person I am today. I would never take them to see my family, or leave them with my girl; but I would trust them (and have!) with my life. 

Descent Into Darkness: 

A Look Into the Past for a Glimpse at the Future

LT Junior Lorah is a Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer currently studying at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA.

References Raymer, E. C. (1996). Descent into Darkness. Novato: Presidio Press.

By: LT Junior Lorah

Hoo-Yah Navy Divers!
30 October 2010

sen were quickly put in charge of, to the 

delight of the hundreds of dive industry 

leaders attending the reception. This 

little bit of Navy flair to the celebration 

was very well received by the civilians 

and highlights how the U.S. Navy Diving 

Program has always been regarded as a 

leader in diving worldwide.

WDHOF is an international nonprofit professional society whose mission is to honor woman from around 

the world who have excelled in diving. Those members include pioneers, 

leaders, innovators and world record holders throughout the diving community. Member contributions span a wide variety of fields 

including” The Arts, Science, Medicine, Sports, Exploration, Marine Archaeology, Media, Service, Dive 

Training and Education, Safety, Business, Marine Environment and Conservation Free Diving, Commercial 

Diving and of course, Military DivNDSTC Change of Command

ing. There are currently 176 members of the WDHOF, of which, 21 

are US Navy Divers. A secondary mission of WDHOF is to support the underwater world and its associated careers 

by promoting opportunities for women and men in diving through scholarships, training grants, internships and 

mentorship opportunities. For more information on WDHOF, visit their website at www.wdhof.org

The Change of Command ceremony at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach, FL was conducted September 17, 2010 where the Commanding Officer, Commander Timothy P. Richardt was relieved by Commander Michael L. Egan. Captain Bradley R. McKinney, Commander, Center for EOD and 

Diving, presided over the change of command ceremony and was the guest speaker. During his tour as Commanding Officer, 

Commander Richardt oversaw the final phase of construction and opening of the 985 thousand gallon Aquatic Training Facility 

and the installation and certification of the 60-ton gantry crane. Additionally, he directed the building of a new MK-16 Underwater Breathing Apparatus classroom and laboratory, as well as, the certification of the new submarine Lockout Trunk, and implementation of 4 new Diver in-water multi-purpose pool training projects. Commander Richardt’s next assignment is in Manama, 

Bahrain on the staff for Commander, Naval Forces Central Command / FIFTH Fleet. Commander Egan’s previous assignment 

was the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Diving at Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

WDHOF Adds USN Diver... continued from pg.24

WDHOF 2010 New Members:

• Jane Bowman, advanced cave diver, 

trainer & examiner, tech diver;

• Sheri Daye, accomplished scuba diver, free diver and spear fisher;

• Annie Crawley, filmmaker, motivational speaker, photographer and 

writer;

• Joan Forsberg, shipwreck diver & researcher; underwater archaeologist;

• Deb Greenhalgh, undersea engineer, 

instructor, author;

• Anne Davis Hasson, co-founder of 

the Aggressor Fleet;

• Diane Scullion Littler, Ph.D., research 

associate & senior scientist; authority 

on tropical-marine botany;

• Chief Petty Officer Roseanne Oliveros, US Navy underwater construction technician (SeaBee) diver;

• Faith Ortins, developed the first women’s drysuits, now leads DUI’s sales 

team worldwide;

• Leslie Rochat, founder of AfriOceans 

Conservation Alliance, established 

the SOS Shark Centre in South Africa, documentary producer and environmental journalist. 

Across: Down:

8. vertigo

9. supine

10. Basic Life Support

11. dizziness

12. neurological

1. joint pain

2. resorption

3. doubtful

4. Diving Medical 

Officer

5. minutes

6. marbling

7. itching

Crossword Puzzle Answers

Commander Michael L. Egan is piped aboard. Captain Bradley R. McKinney congratulates 

Commander Timothy P. Richardt.

Commander Timothy P. Richardt is piped ashore.
October 2010 31

Commander Michael Egan, USN

Supervisor of Diving

OPNAV N873 and 00C have approved dozens of diving waiver requests 

over the last two years and have yet to 

disapprove one that I can recall. When I 

started this job two years ago, the guidance I got from my boss was to remember that we are not in the business of telling people no, we are in the business of 

figuring out how to tell people yes! And 

that is just we have been doing.

We have been pressing the envelope 

of “acceptable risk” and been successful at it. What is the definition of success 

when taking acceptable risk? The answer 

is mission accomplishment without injury to personnel or damage to equipment. 

There is no reward without risk but there 

is not a risk worth taking if personnel 

are thoughtlessly injured or equipment 

unnecessarily damaged. I see this very 

clearly as does all of 00C. 

There have been some significant 

and unique forward steps taken recently 

and I want to talk about them. First, relationships based on trust are the best 

kind. PMS-NSW and 00C have worked 

tirelessly in improving the capabilities 

and way-ahead for the SEAL Delivery 

Vehicle (SDV). The SDV is on the Approved for Navy Use (ANU) List and 

rightfully so. The SDV program is that 

“one-off” ANU item as I refer to it and 

is only authorized for use by NSW, and 

00C is trusted to keep it that way by 

working closely and staying involved in 

the management of configuration control. 

We do! Second, we work for and support the Fleet. When the Fleet identifies 

a requirement for a capability they look 

to 00C to help them find it and develop 

it. However, we here in 00C have a responsibility to look not only “down and 

in” we also have a responsibility to look “up and out” 

as well. The Saturation 

Fly-Away Diving System 

(SAT FADS) is just that 

“up and out” look I am 

talking about. SAT FADS 

is rapidly approaching 

the manned testing and 

diving phase down in 

Panama City Beach, FL

and will be that capability 

that 00C feels the Fleet 

will soon be asking for. 

OPNAV N873, SUPDIVE, and Fleet units 

are working to make sure 

this deep diving capability comes to rest in the 

right hands.

I have enjoyed many successes as 

SUPDIVE. One of the best jobs in the 

U.S. Navy! One particular success is 

the single-point and unity-of-effort that 

has existed and grown stronger between 

the U.S. and our diving Allies. I have 

worked very close with my counterparts, 

the SUPDIVE’s of the United Kingdom, 

Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

These gentlemen and true professionals have helped guide and advise me 

on many international and joint diving 

issues. Most recent success story is the 

OPNAV N873 approved waiver for U.S. 

Navy diver’s operating in the FIFTH 

Fleet AOR, to use the British recompression chambers aboard British MineSweepers while conducting diving operations in the Arabian Gulf. Divers helping 

other Divers! HOOYAH!

This is my last edition of Faceplate 

as the editor-in-chief. CDR Mike Runkle 

will relieve me as Supervisor of Diving. 

The Navy’s Diving Program is in good 

hands! My next assignment is Commanding Officer of Naval Diving and Salvage 

Training Center in Panama City Beach, 

FL. Talk about a “plum-assignment” it 

does not get any better! I am lucky, I am 

honored, and I am very excited to get 

back with the troops and start training 

Divers! HOOYAH Deep Sea!

LT Jamie Cook (OPNAV N873B), CDR Tom Murphy 

(CO, MDSU-ONE), CDR Warren Fridley (OPNAV 

N873), and CDR Mike Egan (SUPDIVE) sitting inside the SAT FADS deck decompression chamber 

living compartment at Phoenix in Largo, MD right 

before it was loaded and shipped to Panama City 

Beach, FL for unmanned and manned diving testing.

Annual ABCANZ (America Britain Canada Australia New 

Zealand) Conference in Vancouver, Canada and the respective Supervisor’s of Diving from left to right are CDR Michael Egan United States Navy, CDR Christopher Deere 

Royal Canadian Navy, CDR Paul Jones Royal Navy, LCDR 

Trevor Leslie New Zealand Royal Navy, and LCDR Paul 

Koerber Australian Royal Navy. The ABCANZ Conference 

is held every year and each country takes a turn hosting.
32 October 2010

As of February 26, 2010, interim guidance to Calibration Laboratories for cleaning, calibrating, and labeling instruments requiring MIL-STD-1622 cleanliness has been issued by the Navy Metrology and Calibration program. Under this guidance, critical-application systems and their associated instrumentation require more thorough 

cleanliness and more specific packaging and labeling than general-application instruments. This applies to breathable air systems such as Divers Life Support Systems and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus charging air systems 

as well as all other critical-application systems and components.

When instruments to be cleaned are identified to meet the requirements of MIL-STD-1622, the calibration 

laboratory personnel shall conduct receipt inspections per MIL-STD-1622. If the gauge does not have documented 

cleaning, i.e. a paper QA document, a sticker with a traceable number and a sticker with a traceable lab for solvent 

removal it is not considered clean and must be cleaned before calibrating. All items cleaned per MIL-STD-1622 for 

critical applications will need to have labels applied following cleaning indicating the required information from 

MIL-STD-1622 paragraph C.5.8 applicable to each component. In the interim these labels should be locally developed and adhere to the characteristics stated in the guidance issued by the Navy Metrology and Calibration program.

All Divers Life Support System air gauges are critical and must be cleaned and calibrated in accordance with 

MIL-STD-1622. All non-critical gauges must be marked as none critical. When sending instruments to be calibrated 

they should be packaged with the full intent to maintain cleanliness and with all proper documentation included. All 

openings should be plugged or capped wherever possible. If openings are not suitable for plugs or caps, a film, or 

bag should be applied with tape being used to secure the film or bag and care taken so the tape does not contact the 

openings or plugged/capped connections. With these initial precautions the time needed to clean and calibrate the 

instruments can be reduced resulting in a quicker turnover time and prevent an increased cost of maintenance.