HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS 103 



73. When Sealab is in the plumb position, make all possible checks of lowering equipment. 

 Take dynaline readings and make certain that the reading remains constant before starting the 

 lowering. 



74. Lower Sealab to within approximately 20 ft of the bottom (within sight of the positioning 

 lights). Make sure that the umbilical follows it down smoothly. 



75. Take another dynaline reading. It should agree with the reading taken in item 73. 



76. Position Sealab with the tag lines from Gear. The bow of Sealab should point at approxi- 

 mately 345°T. The shark-cage end is the stern. 



77. When Sealab is correctly positioned, lower it to the bottom. When it is on the bottom, 

 check to insure that it is reasonably level. 



78. Flood ballast tank 2 by closing equalizing valves Bl and B2, then opening flood valve 

 C2, then opening vent valve AlO. 



79. Leave the bridle (slack) in place until everything is completely checked out. (This check- 

 out will take at least 24 hours.) 



SEALAB RAISING PLAN 



Phase 1 



Conditions: The necessity for raising Sealab may arise at any time after Sealab is placed on 

 the bottom. For this reason, it is not possible to state the exact condition of the 

 many systems aboard. For the purpose of this bill it is assumed that Sealab has 

 been on the bottom and occupied for a sufficient length of time that all systems are 

 checked out and in operation on normal power. Also, ballast tanks 1, 2, 3 and the 

 conning tower are flooded and the entry skirt is blown out. 



1. Lift up way-stations, water-clarity meter, acoustic ranges, and other equipment as 

 necessary. 



2. Remove caps on the inside end of the equalizing plugs in the eleven viewing ports. 



3. Remove preventer anchor cable, attach to messenger, and send topside. Attach tag lines 

 to prevent Sealab rotation. 



4. Secure the internal pressure-proof covers on the viewing ports and bolt down hard, 

 using a diagonal bolting sequence. Use a torque wrench adjusted to not more than 100 ft-lb. 



5. Remove the equalizing plugs on the outside of the viewing ports. 



6. Remove all outside TV cameras (and mounting brackets). 



7. Install the external protective covers on the viewing ports if time permits. 



8. Connect an air salvage hose from the staging vessel to vent valve Al. The air salvage 

 hose should have a check valve at the staging-vessel end, with a valve capable of venting pres- 

 sure on Sealab as required. 



9. Block the water-heater switch on the main power panel in the off position. 



10. Disconnect the diving light cables and lash in place. 



11. Notify shore control to turn off Benthic power. When power-off confirmation is received 

 from topside, proceed with item 12. 



