Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Right after I transferred aboard 'The Willie Boat' (USS Robert L. Wilson), we left the shipyards at Norfolk, VA, and sailed to Guantanamo Bay.
When a Navy ship goes into the yards (usually lasting for over a year), almost the entire ship's company is transferred away to new duty stations. When the ship comes out of the yards, it has all new gear, a new crew, and they go through underway training. This gives the new crew the opportunity to learn how to run their new ship under almost any conditions.
The Navy has ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection) teams that go aboard and see how well the ship, the crew, and symbiotic relationship of two work together. While undergoing ORI training, the team simulates all types of emergencies and the crew has to find ways to overcome every possible contingency.
One afternoon, an ORI team member drew chalk lines on the deck, starboard side, amidships. They stood around watching and grading our response. One of the ship's crew walked forward when an ORI team member asks, "Didn't you notice the line on the deck?"
"Well, no, Sir."
"Well, then, lay down on the deck. That's a large hole in the deck and smoke is pouring out."
A second sailor, sees the sailor laying on the deck and examines the first sailor for injuries. The ORI team asks, "What are you doing?"
"Checking this sailor for injuries, Sir."
"Lay down next to him, you've been overcome by smoke."
One of our senior chiefs is walking forward and seeing the two sailors laying on the deck. He kneels down, approaches the two sailors on hand and knees, exploring the deck with his hands, and obviously sniffing the air. As he gets to where the chalk lines are, the Chief pulls some chalk from his pocket and begins drawing on the deck.
"What are you doing, Chief," the ORI team asks.
"Going to the bridge to report this explosion and to get help for these two men. Sir."
"And how are you going to do this?"
"I going to put a plank across this hole, get forward as quickly and safely as possible, Sir?"
"Where did you get that plank, Chief"
"Taking a piece of chalk from his pocket, the same place you got the hole, Sir!"
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