Amphibious Transport Dock - LPD

PHIBOPS Small Boat Operations Manual Chapter 1.

Overview

1.1. Purpose. The purpose of this manual is to put forth a standardized method of operating the watercraft assigned to PHIBOPS for the duration of the training.

1.2. Concept. PHIBOPS training consists of familiarizations with all facets of amphibious operations, from the Big Deck Amphibs down to the SEAL or Marine RECON team in the CRRC. We will concentrate on the CRRC.

1.3. Sources. This manual was developed primarily using United States Navy and United States Coast Guard materials. Among those materials are EWTGLANT Amphibious Warfare Indoctrination Course and the USCG Boat Crew Manual and Boat Crew/Coxswain’s Qualification Guide.

Chapter 2.

Equipment

2.1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the equipment that will be used during PHIBOPS waterborne training.

2.2. Concept. The equipment discussed in this chapter is all standardized Navy equipment.

2.3. Equipment Stats. The boats we use are Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) designed and built by the Zodiac North America Corporation. The boat model used is the FC 470 Futura Commando. They are ruggedized rubber inflatable boats that can be propelled by hand or motor. The craft comes in a Deployment bag with all necessary equipment. Stats on the FC 470 are provided below.

2 3 Chapter 3.

Boat Crews

3.1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to identify crew members.

3.2. Crew Composition. A boat crew is initially composed of six Participants, which is the same number as one squad.

3.3. Crew Positions and Responsibilities. Every member of a boat crew is part of a team. Some members of the crew have limited responsibilities while others have quite a bit of responsibility. The Boat Crew, as stated in paragraph 3.02. consists of six Participants.

3.3.1. Coxswain (CX). The CX is in charge of the boat crew. They are responsible for the proper motivation of the crew. They are also responsible for the proper care of the boat and all associated equipment. The CX supervises inflation and deflation of the boat and ensures all associated equipment is aboard. The CX is also responsible for ensuring all equipment for the specific mission is in working order prior to launching for the mission.

4 3.3.2. Assistant Coxswain (ACX). The ACX is second in charge of the boat crew. They are responsible for assisting the CX with motivation of the crew. If the Boat Crew is split up, the ACX will take charge of one of the two elements. The ACX also acts as the crew’s engineer. It will be their responsibility to run preventive maintenance checks on the boat and ensure it is ready for its mission.

3.3.3. Crew Members. There are four remaining members of the crew. Their job is to help inflate the boat and get the boat into the water. They will also be assigned duties by the CX and ACX as necessary. The four remaining crew members are identified by their location on the boat. These are: Port 1 (P1), Port 2 (P2), Starboard 1(S1) and Starboard 2(S2).

Chapter 4.

Safety

4.1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to put forth safety requirements during motorized and non motorized CRRC operations. These safety procedures will be followed at all times, by all PHIBOPS personnel. They will stay in place until replaced by an addendum to this manual. That addendum will have been agreed upon by the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and Operations Officer.

4.2. Concept. The safety rules in this manual come from a variety of sources including common sense, United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary rules. We have adapted these rules to fit our purposes.

4.3. Personal Flotation Devices. PHIBOPS personnel will wear a PFD at all times during any underway evolution. There are three types of PFD’s that can be used at PHIBOPS.

A. KAPOC style life jacket. The KAPOC style life vest is provided to all Participants, and is a part of their basic load out for many training evolutions. B. Stearns/Mustang Life Vest. The Sterns/Mustang type life vest will be issued to members of the staff. This vest is easier to don and remove than the KAPOC, but provides comparable flotation properties. C. Tactical Float Vest. The Tactical Float Vest is worn by the “Top 4 members of the command, the CO, XO, OPSO and the 1st Lieutenant.

4.4. Lookouts. In accordance with the Navigation Rules, and because training takes place in an area where a variety of civilian and military vessels operate, lookouts will be absolutely necessary. On the boat, every member of the crew is a lookout and every member has an assigned area of responsibility.

4.4.1. Sighting. Under normal training circumstances, it is the responsibility of the lookout to make sure the coxswain knows the position of any contact that is within a ½ mile of the boat and not part of that particular evolution. Some examples are:

5  Ships  Land  Obstructions  Lights  Buoys  Beacons  Discolored Water  Sandbar  Anything that could affect safe navigation

4.4.2. Procedures. Lookouts must be on alert at all times. They must give full attention to their assigned duty. Below are some of the other things lookouts should do when on watch.

 Do not distract yourself or others with extensive conversation, though some conversation may help in reducing fatigue and maintaining alertness.  Speak loudly and distinctly when making a report.  Repeat your report until it is acknowledged by the coxswain.  Report everything you see, even floating material, even if you have to report it several times.  Make certain you understand your duties.

4.04.3. Reporting. When reporting a contact to the coxswain, the lookout will give the relative bearing of the contact, type of contact, direction and approximate speed of the contact. To ensure the contact report has been heard, the coxswain will repeat the information back to the lookout. It is important the Coxswain has this information. Because of this, if the information is not confirmed, the lookout will repeat it until it is. Below are some guidelines for lookouts to follow when making reports.

 Know relative bearings. Study the diagram below, to be able to picture the complete circle of relative bearings around the boat in 10 degree increments. Then get used to your particular AOR.  Bearings are always reported in three digits and distinctly spoken digit by digit.  Report distances in estimated yards.  When scanning your area, look above the horizon. Move your head from side to side in small steps of about 10 degrees through your 90 degree AOR.  To fight fatigue or boredom while on lookout duty, periodically focus on an object close to the boat and then return to your sector.

 An example of the contact report and confirmation is provided below.

Lookout: Contact, bearing ZERO TWO ZERO, range THUH-REE HUNDRED. Small craft, heading away at moderate speed.

Coxswain: Small craft, bearing 020 degrees, 300 yards. Heading away at moderate speed, Aye.

6 Relative Bearings

7 Chapter 5.

Boat Crew Quarters

5.1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the different quarters positions for members of a boat crew. There are three quarters positions for crew members.

5.2. Beach Quarters. Beach Quarters positions will be for Zodiac familiarity drills. The diagram below details the beach quarters positions. The position of the CX is forward and starboard. At the forward port position is the ACX. Directly behind the CX is S1 in the amidships starboard position. In the amidships port position is P1. Aft starboard is the position of S2. Finally, P2 is in the aft port position. When the Crew is at Beach Quarters, they will be in the proper location in relation to the boat (outside of the boat) at the position of attention with their paddle at order arms.

Assistant Coxswain Coxswain

Port 1 Starboard 1

Port 2 Starboard 2

Beach Quarters

8 5.3. Rowing Quarters. The positions of rowing quarters are the same as the positions of Beach quarters. The difference is that in rowing quarters, the boat crew is inside the boat. The crew will be at rowing quarters during some familiarity drills, crew events and on some missions. The diagram below details rowing quarters positions. The position of the CX is forward and starboard. At the forward port position is the ACX. Directly behind the CX is S1 in the amidships starboard position. In the amidships port position is P1. Aft starboard is the position of S2. Finally, P2 is in the aft port position. When the Crew is at Rowing Quarters, they will be in their proper position, on the gunwale with one leg in the water and the other in the boat. Paddles will be in the ready position, across their lap with the blade outboard and flat.

ACX CX

Rowing Quarters

9 5.4. Motor Quarters. The Motor Quarters positions are quite different from the other two. The change in the positioning of personnel is mainly because of the addition of the motor. The diagram below details the positions of the crew while at Motor Quarters. The position of the CX is all the way aft, and center, at the motor. The ACX is positioned all the way forward on the bow. The S1 is located on the starboard bow. The S2 is located on the starboard quarter. The P2 is located on the port quarter and the P1 will be at the port bow. P1. Aft starboard is the position of S2. Finally, P2 is in the aft port position. When the Crew is at Motor Quarters, they will be in the boat, as flat as possible with only their heads and weapons visible over the gunwale. The Coxswain will be the most exposed because his duties of operating the boat keep him in a fairly upright position.

Motor Quarters

10 Chapter 6.

Underway Procedures

6.1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish underway procedures for the Boat Crews. These procedures will ensure safety as well as the accomplishment of the mission. There are two underway periods that will be undertaken in PHIBOPS training. These are Rowing and Motorized.

6.2. Rowing Procedures. The procedures below will be followed by all Participants while participating in non motorized underway training. These guidelines will not be deviated from without the prior approval of the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer or Operations Officer.

6.2.1. PFD’s. All Participants will wear PFDs at all times when the boat is underway. Underway is defined as if the boat is not made fast to a dock or aground. PFD’s will be completely secured at all times while on the boat.

6.3. Motorized Procedures. The procedures below will be followed by all Participants while participating in motorized underway training. These guidelines will not be deviated from without the prior approval of the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer or Operations Officer.

6.3.1. PFD’s. All Participants will wear PFDs at all times when the boat is underway. Underway is defined as if the boat is not made fast to a dock or aground. PFD’s will be completely secured at all times while on the boat.

6.3.2. Areas of Responsibility (AOR). While underway on a motorized Zodiac, each crew member is assigned a certain AOR. The AOR is a 90 degree arc that overlaps with two of their crewmembers. This allows for full 360 degree coverage any time that the boat is in the water.

Crew AOR Assistant Coxswain 330° to 050° Starboard 1 030° to 120° Starboard 2 090° to 180° Coxswain 160° to 250° Port 2 220° to 310° Port 1 280° to 010°

11 6.4. Coxswain: The Coxswain has overall responsibility for getting the boat safely to the destination. They conn the boat as well as keeps an eye on their assigned AOR. The Coxswain must take in all of the information concerning traffic, distance to target, hostiles on the beach, and combine them with the speed and course changes to ensure the boat hits the beach where it is supposed to be.

6.5. Assistant Coxswain: The ACX is basically the point person for the boat. Along with lookout duties, as described above, the ACX will have more duties assigned. As the boat nears the shore, especially if it is coming in "hot", the CX will not be able to see the beach. This is because the bow will be up out of the water. If there are seas of any sort, this will make the CX job even more difficult. The ACX will have the responsibility of calling out distance to the waterline as well as estimate depth. The ACX will have to stay alert, especially during beach approaches, because they are also responsible for traffic, obstacles or debris in the water. During beach approaches on a mission, the ACX will also have the responsibility of scanning their AOR for enemy troops on the beach or signs of an ambush. The ACX is also responsible for ensuring the CX puts the boat on the right point by providing guidance to the CX.

6.6. Port and Starboard Crew Member Duties: Port and Starboard Duties are fairly basic. Port 1 and 2 and Starboard 1 and 2 are responsible for acting as lookouts in their assigned AOR. This means they will be responsible for ensuring the Coxswain knows about any thing they sight within their AOR. This includes other boats, obstacles or debris in the water. While inserting or extracting on a mission, they will have to keep alert for enemy troops on the beach, or signs of an ambush. 12 6.7. Communication. Communication is paramount during any operation, and it is even more important during a water evolution using a motorized CRRC. It is vital to mission accomplishment and safety that everyone pay attention, call out anything they see and keep the Coxswain informed. When reporting traffic, obstacles or debris, relative bearings will be used. Range estimations will also be helpful. Responsibilities within the AOR vary with each crew member.