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 CHAPTER VIII 



OPERATIONS IN POLAR WATERS 



SHIPBOARD PRECAUTIONS 



If the ship has been fitted out according to the procedure outlined 

 in the previous chapter, the chief dangers to be met are those resulting 

 from low air temperatures and from water freezing on the topsides, 

 either through sleeting and snowing or from taking aboard spray 

 or green water in cold weather. 



Sweep decks clear of snow before it has an opportunity to form a 

 crust or become trampled and hardened. This is particularly essential 

 on the bridge and on the gangways. Extreme care should be exercised 

 when using scrapers to remove ice close to electric cables and equipment 

 because of the possibility of breaking them loose from switch boxes 

 and other connections. Salt water hosing is a rapid means of melting 

 snow and clearing decks but should be used only in nonf reezing weather 

 after making sure that overboard deck drains are not frozen. It is 

 not advisable to use mixed steam and water for ship de-icing since 

 the ship will i^un out of steam too rapidly. A better method is to 

 use the condenser feed as a source of warm water and by a heat 

 exchanger raise the temperature to about 150° F. The water may 

 then be used to cut into ice masses, making use of the weight of the ice 

 to break them away. The worst ship icing conditions are said to be 

 found in the Newfoundland-Belle Isle area when the water tempera- 

 ture is 30° F., the air temperature 20° F., and the wind force 4. 



All running rigging that can reasonably be covered should be pro- 

 vided with canvas covers as previously recommended for mooring 

 lines. Lowering a whale-boat with ice on the falls and cleats is a very 

 dangerous operation. Canvas covers are considered a necessity for 

 all deck winches and appliances. They are also essential for open boats 

 if the bilges are to be kept dry. Cover the deck space or hatch used 

 for helicopter operations with a tarpaulin so that the snow can be 

 removed in a minimum of time. 



Secure firemain cut-out valves on firemain risers to weather decks 

 and drain plugs at lowest point between riser and plug. Drain fire hose 

 on weather deck and dry in heated compartment before restowing in 

 racks. Keep proportioners in heated compartments adjacent to a 

 l)atch or door where access to weather decks will permit rapid connec- 



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