Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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On deck, each member of the replenishment detail sets about his assigned task. As Denver takes sta- tion alongside the supply ship, a gunner ' s mate shoots across a shot line which is attached to a series of mes- senger lines. The deck sea- men pull these lines across until the highline itself is brought aboard and attached to a Kingpost . The pallets of supplies are then ferried across the choppy waters. One by one the bagged up pallets of supplies are sent across. Once in reach of Denver ' s crew they are lowered, unbagged and moved inside by forklift where the other crew awaits. The United States Navy is one of the few Navies in the world capable of alongside replen- ishment while underway. ' ' Above Decks...

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UNREP AT SEA 8 March 1979 A week had already passed and things were beginning to settle in (visions of hula girls for example) , when on the eighth day an Underway Replenish- ment, or UNREP was scheduled. UNREPS are delicate operations involving skill and coordination. UNREP ships send the recipients needed supplies, be it bacon and eggs or fuel and bolts. This UNREP was the first all hands evolution for the cruise. Outside, the first crew, already well trained in their assigned jobs, manned their stations donned in life jackets and helmets. Inside, the remainder of the crew receives their briefing on what the day ' s events will hold for them.

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Below Decks Once briefed, the in- side crew foinns an assem- bly line, passing boxes through passageways, down various ladders and into storage rooms, some many decks below. For the Den- ver crew the first OTREP lasted most of the day, explaining why few let- ters were postmarked 8 March. Finally, in cele- bration of a successful, timely operation some of the newly acquired sup- plies were broken out.