INFO PAPER ON EFFECTS OF OIL SLICK ON MAJOR UNITS

File: 970616_dec96_decls1_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 3
Subject = INFO PAPER ON EFFECTS OF OIL SLICK ON MAJOR UNITS               

Parent Organization = COMUSCINCCEN

Unit = COMNAVCENT  

Folder Title = FOLDER OIL SLICK AND OIL WELL FIRE FILES                                                        

Document Number =         10

Box ID = BX300116


                               UNCLASSIFIED






          EFFECTS OF WATER-BORNE OIL SLICKS ON SHIPS OPERATING OR
          TRANSITING THROUGH THEM.

                                     BACKGROUNDLO)

          - THE IRAQI RELEASE OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF CRUDE OIL INTO THE
          PERSIAN GULF PRESENTS PROBLEMS WITH BOTH AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS
          AND COMBATANT OPERATIONS. WITH THE EXISTING SEA STATES IN THE
          PERSIAN GULF, OIL CONTAMINATION WILL BE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE
          WATER COLUMN.

                                     DISCUSSION14

          - OIL OR OIL-LADEN WATER CAN COQTAMINATE OR CLOG SUCTION SEA
          CHESTS AND PIPING. PUMPS AND DISCHARGE PIPING, VALVES,
          STRAINERS, HEAT EXCHANGERS, AS WELL AS INSTRUMENTATION PIPING AND
          COMPONENTS WITH OIL TRAPPED DEBRIS. IMPACT CAN VARY DEPENDING ON
          THE LEVEL OF CONTAMINATION AND LOCATION OF SEA WATER INLETS.

          - THE GENERAL EFFECTS (AND REPRESENTATIVE CAUSES) OF SUCH
          CONTAMINATION COULD INCLUDE:

               A. INADEQUATE COOLING (COATED/CLOGGED HEAT EXCHANGERS)
               B. INOPERATIVE VALVES (OIL TRAPPED DEBRIS)
               C. OVERLOADED MOTORS (ON MOTOR OPERATED SALT WATER PUMPS)
               D. PUMP FAILURES (CLOGGED OIL COOLERS OR COOLING WATER HEAT
                  EXCHANGERS OR INTAKE VOLUTES)
               E. INACCURATE/INOPERATIVI-? INSTRUMENTATION (CLOGGED GAGE
                  LINES)

          - THE IMPLICATION OF THIS IS THAT SHIPS CANNOT SUSTAIN OPERATIONS
          WITHIN THE CONTAMINATED AREA FOR ANY TACTICALLY SIGNIFICANT
          AMOUNT OF TIME.

          - WITH RESPECT TO AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT CRAFT:

               -- LCAC'S (LANDING CRAFT AIR CUSHION) SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE
               MAJOR ENGINEERING DEGRADATION, BUT WOULD BE SLOWED BY OIL
               THICKNESS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO SPRAY. AIR FILTERS
               WILL CLOG AT AN INCREASED RATES, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE
               ENGINES.

               -- LCU'S (LANDING CRAFT UTILITY) HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO RUN
               ON BALLAST COOLING, IF CLEAN BALLAST IS AVAILABLE PRIOR TO
               ENTRY INTO THE OIL CONTAMINATED AREA.

               -- LCM 8'S (LANDING CRAFT MEDIUM) AND BARGE FERRY WARPING
               TUGS/BOATS WILL, DUE TO THEIR SHALLOW SECTIONS, SUFFER
               COOLANT CONTAMINATION AND FREQUENT CLOGGING.

          - AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS FLOW RATE ACROSS THE BEACH WOULD BE
          ADVERSELY EFFECTED BY AS MUCH AS 50% - 75% IF AMPHIBIOUS



                                 emr=mrfrm
                               UNCLASSIFIED