Compass Island (AG 153) - Naval Cruise Book

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In October, 1976, the COMPASS ISLAND journeyed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Refresher Training. Upon our arrival in Cuba, Fleet Training Group per- sonnel held a pre-training inspection to point out deficiencies in damage control equip- ment and procedures, engineering casualty control, navigation, communication, deck, gunnery, and medical and first aid readiness. During REFTRA all Inport Emergency Details, Underway Repair Parties, Engineer- ing, Operations, Deck, and Medical person- nel were required to respond to various simu- lated emergencies. In each case. Fleet Train- ing Group personnel were on the scene to point out mistakes and to offer suggestions for correction. In the final phase of REFTRA all respon- ses to the emergencies were critically eval- uated. A substantial improvement in all fac- ets of damage and casualty control was noted by the inspectors, resulting in an over- all grade of excellent. All was not training and drilling beneath the hot Cuban sun. The crew was still able to find time for off-duty relaxation and enter- tainment. Many took advantage of the com- prehensive Special Services offered such as swimming, horseback riding, and softball, as well as the service clubs. Others toured the far reaches of the base where they witnessed the largest active mine field in the world in addition to the water distilling plant which utilizes sea water to make one million gallons of fresh water per day to provide for all the needs of the Naval Base. tfd i