Transcript How some ships now anchored in the Navy's Reserve Fleet

Consider how some ships now anchored in the Navy's Reserve Fleet
CAN BE MADE USEFUL.
These ships are Oilers of the Neosho Class built in the 1950’s
They could be safely moored in coastal harbors and stocked with dry goods or liquids
for quick use in disaster relief or even in general emergencies.
During an earthquake or wind storm, the ships would just jiggle around
by the pier, but stay afloat with the contents ready for use.
The ships have refrigeration, freezers, galleys, and medical facilities.
Their use could be realized in four ways.
House recovering HOMELESS VETERANS
Store DISASTER RELIEF SUPPLIES
Create a NATIONAL SUPPORT MUSEUM
Provide a HOMELAND SECURITY OUTPOST
Oilers appeared at anchor like this during their service.
Secured at a harbor pier they could look like this.
The MAIN Deck is on the same level as the word "AREA"
(Under the word "HOMELESS"),
A HOMELAND SECURITY Scenario
Could include a heliport and hanger
and communications equipment
The Oilers have deep tanks
Here is a POSSIBLE PLAN of Deck 1 of 2 that the ship could easily be converted to.
The center 4 tanks have Coffer Dams around them - use for RESERVE WATER OR FUEL.
Over 1,000,000 Gallons could be reserved for an emergency.
Remember, this is at dock side
This is a center line elevation displaying compartments of an oiler.
This includes berthing for Homeless Veterans display rooms for a National Support Museum,
and storage areas for Disaster Relief supplies.
An oiler is chosen because mainly, that is what the museum is about.
How destroyers and carriers are supplied at sea, 24/7.
The museum should go further and represent Gasoline tankers and Air force tankers.
Then other auxiliary supply ships.
These drawings are an example only.
Careful planning and design work would have to be completed.
Berthing could be started with little modifications.
Little modification would be required for storage in the forward area where it could be
Started and rearranged as compartments were changed and completed.
Major applications such as the side entrance
or elevator can come as time and funds permit.
SHELTER for recovering HOMELESS VETERANS
The VA's major homeless programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless
assistance programs in the country, offering a wide array of services and initiatives to help
veterans recover from homelessness and live as self sufficiently and independently as possible.
VETERANS located in our cities along the coast could find SHELTER in retired OILERS
removed from the Reserve Fleet. Remember, these veterans could be young persons from
current serving assignments. The "Veterans Transitional Housing Opportunities Act of 1998“
might cover this application.
The "AFT" portion of the ship, described next, would have to be SECURE and free from:
SMOKING
ALCOHOL
DRUGS
Spaces have been identified in GREEN as possible areas where our veterans could live.
The decks are identified upward from the Main deck, 01 Deck, 02 Deck, 03 Deck.
Plans of these decks, as displayed above, are detailed on the next pages.
The number of beds in these possible areas total to 134 beds.
Aft-03 Deck = 30; Aft-02 Deck = 24; Aft-01 Deck = 27; Aft-Main Deck = 54
Bed spaces on the 02 Deck were Officers Quarters - The best spaces.
Bed spaces on the Main Deck were for deck hands - less privacy.
On this MAIN-Deck, Homeless Veterans would be reminded of where most of the ships men
of hard labor lived. The quarters are not too private and past access to this area was
accomplished by descending down a ladder (stairs) from the 01-Deck.
There are many store rooms.
Perhaps a veteran could operate the Laundry, Cobbler, Tailor, Repair
or even the Barber shop. New doors will be needed in this area.
Homeless Veterans would be reminded of where labor accomplished the transfer of goods
to other vessels. It is also where most had taken on food.
Berthing quarters here would be in the past hospital ward, Chief Petty Officer quarters,
or office spaces. Perhaps a veteran could operate the Galley, Bakery or Post Office.
Perhaps the ship could have its own zip code.
There is a Recreation room, Library and even a Dark Room.
Perhaps a nurse could have visiting hours once a week in the old hospital area.
With this 02-Deck, Homeless Veterans would have easy access to the open air.
It was Officer and Gun Control area. Rooms were quite private.
The Aft-Port Gun turret area became a Paint Locker when hazardous material rules changed.
It was operated by a civilian who trained the crew on proper painting procedures.
With this upper 03-Deck, Homeless Veterans would be using quarters that were created
for civilians during their TAO times. These quarters were located where gun turrets
previously perched. USNS Kawishiwi TAO-146 received a REFUEL RIG on the Aft-Starboard
support structure of a gun turret. No other Neosho Class Oiler received this type rig
SUPPLIES for DISASTER RELIEF
Supplies could include packaged pre-sorted clothing, bedding, and food products.
Also included could be cleaning supplies, comfort kits, household items, and
medical supplies. Mobile units could be located top-side, ready to be loaded
with required items and lowered to the pier, ready for delivery.
The ships Radio Rooms could be maintained for communication services.
Ties to the American Red Cross is a must.
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Have Oilers Geared for In Port Operations.
Fresh water - always seems to be in short supply at the site of any disaster.
The Oilers are already configured to carry a million gallons or more of potable water.
It could be regularly used to keep it fresh.
New technology desalinization plants would be a plus, the ship existing plants are too small.
Removing Hazardous materials such as Asbestos may be the most costly obstacle,
but this is required even when ships are disposed of.
Adding side doors and converting the formerly liquid cargo compartments requires
expensive design and engineering, but IT IS DO-ABLE.
The top-side decks should be cleared of winches so deck cargo like building material,
small boats, trucks, ambulances, etc. could be stored.
Moderate-to-heavy lift cranes could be added. When clearing the decks,
a larger heliport area should be added. AO-144 has one already.
Review transmittal letters to persons this proposal has been sent to:
on October 10, 2006
Seattle Mayor Gregory Nickles
TO:
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
Department of Veterans Affairs
Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
Veterans of Foreign Wars
U.S. Naval Institute
Review outline of book “NAVY SUPER TANKERS”
This link includes information about a CD available about Oilers
IN SEATTLE
There is talk about the cruise ship terminal at Pier 30 being re-located to Pier 91.
This could be very good for the suggested NAVY SUPPORT MUSEUM.
The area could work like that depicted below. It would be busier than now.
See image on next page
The existing fishing ships are shown still mooring here - those marked "F“. The Cruise Ship (A) is same size
as that shown at Pier 66. The Cruise Ships (B) & (C) are images taken from New York City moorings.
Note: Queen Mary 2 is 132 feet longer that ship (B).
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
The Cruise ships need covered boarding terminals like those in New York and Miami.
Seattle also needs Navy Attractions and Emergency facilities.
It really is important that American People
Are aware of efforts required
To support their ships of war.
Our sailors are out there on OILERS
Every Day of the year,
Not to fight,
But to support those who do fight.
OILERS are never mentioned in the NEWS,
MOVIES or on TELEVISION.
All the public seems to want is seeing Fighting and Fire Power.
WE are becoming very complacent.
We can not let our guard down.
By Vern Bouwman, a U.S. Navy Veteran
USS Kawishiwi AO-146 Historian
12616 NE 190th St. Bothell, WA 98011