and long lengths of chain. A UCT-One crew of four men was assigned to 

 work with the two CEL project engineers. After this crew had gained 

 some experience from a few implantments, a comfortable turn-around time 

 of 2-1/2 hours was achieved between two successive anchor implantments, 

 barring complications. Subsequent experience gave sufficient proficiency 

 so that the final two anchors were installed, with no piston retrieval, 

 within a turn- around time of 1-1/2 hours. 



The figure-8 method of faking the wire rope anchor load line in a 

 horizontal plane around boards bolted to the base of the launch vehicle 

 proved entirely satisfactory for this large line. 



Recovery of the piston after the installation of an anchor fluke is 

 operationally expensive. As piston retrieval is not essential for the 

 anchor to develop its holding capacity in materials similar to those 

 occurring at the reported sites, and as nonrecoverable pistons can be 

 fabricated relatively cheaply, it would appear that for similar installa- 

 tions, it would be uneconomical to recover the pistons. Data must be 

 obtained to verify similar performance in other sediment types before 

 piston recovery can be eliminated generally from the functioning of the 

 system. 



After being refurbished and strengthened, the launch vehicle had 

 been used only once prior to its use in Diego Garcia. Therefore, there 

 was some uncertainty about its ability to withstand a large number of 

 firings. A thorough inspection of the system after the 18 shots conducted 

 at Diego Garcia showed no cracked welds or other evidence of damage or 

 distress. 



The anchor was fired remotely via an electrical wire to the surface. 

 This method is probably limited to about 500 feet (150 m) of water, and 

 the difficulty and expense of handling the extra line increases with 

 water depth. At Diego Garcia this approach was simple and quick and 

 eliminated the need for a self-contained power supply with a seafloor- 

 sensing triggering device. 



Two S/A devices were used during the installations. The solenoid 

 valves and gas cannister assembly were not damaged, as determined by a 

 quick check fire of the assembly after each use. 



Three unsuccessful firing attempts occurred because of malfunctions 

 of the S/A device, and one installation was delayed by the discovery and 

 correction of a broken circuit in an electrical cable immediately before 

 deployment of the anchor system. Also, problems occurred with the 

 mating of anchor components. These difficulties were diagnosed and 

 remedied by the CEL project engineers. Had this technical support not 

 been provided, installation of anchors would have been delayed further, 

 and hazardous situations may have occurred. Although the same problems 

 should not recur, problems of similar significance should be expected to 

 occur with diminishing frequency as this, or any other similar prototype 

 is utilized in further installations. In order to provide such an 

 anchor system for operating forces that has no such requirement for 

 technical support, a standardized anchor and installation procedure must 

 be developed and carried through service approval. 



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