Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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VIETNAMIZATION REACHES MANATEE In concert with the gradual Vietnamization of the war, Vietnamese Naval Officers were attached to US Ships for training and orientation. Two trainees, Ensign Tran Quang HUNG and Ensign Nguyen Due HOA were attached to MANATEE from October 3 to November 20. They were trained in deck seamanship, bridge watch standing, navigation, gunnery and shipboard administration. They will be able to apply this experience to their own ships and in joint operations with Americans in Vietnam. Both had an expected degree of difficulty with the lan- guage barrier, as did the men trying to train them, but by the time they left they had a good understanding of navi- gation and general ship procedure. The two Ensigns had served in An Thoi during their Vietnamese training. Both returned for assignment in Viet- nam after the ship ' s visit to Hong Kong. MANATEE was the first oiler to anchor in the harbor. The services for the mother ship were completed early in the day but gunfire commitments had delayed a second ship so fish call was held during the afternoon. GMG3 WHEELER took the day ' s honors with a twelve pound something. After completing an evening inrep, the ship made a difficult turn inside the harbor and headed toward its normal line swing. SUNSET AT AN THOI 30

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Night inrep of USS CARRONADE. AN THOI INREP After three days of liberty, the crew was relieved to get underway again, to rest and replenish depleted funds. Avoiding another typhoon, MANATEE returned to Subic to load for her fourth line trip. For this trip, MANATEE went into the Gulf of Siam to inrep the ships in the small harbor of An Thoi on the Cambodian bor- der. This harbor is one of the main support areas for the river and coastal forces operating off Vietnam. The area was secured only two years ago and the heavy infiltration near the Cambodian border requires the maintenance of a large patrol group. Every two weeks, an oiler makes the trip to An Thoi. A nest of swift boats alongside the mother ship USS KRISHNA. 29

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SWIM CALL It ' s not all work and no play for MANATEE. Leaping into the water (Above) MANATEE sailors enjoyed a cool (84°) dip in the Tonkin Gulf during lull off coast of Vietnam. Swim and fish call were held after unreps, providing a welcome break in the routine. To ensure the safety of the crew the motor whaleboat patrolled the swimming area and Gunner ' s Mates stood by with rifles.