Harry Yarnell (CG 17) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 48 text:

Collision Course!? No, just a Tow ... Given the massive size of two Navy vessels, and the unpredictable nature of the seas, lowing another ship can be a difficult and potentially dangerous evolution. In light of this, a high level of expertise is re- quired in planning and executing this chal- lenging task. Fine-tuned coordination be- tween the Officer of the Deck, helmsman, and Ice-helmsman on the bridge, and the towing crew on the main deck, as well as quick and ready response by all are essen- tial to safely and successfully tow another vessel to its destination. L ' SS H. RR ' E. YARNELL showed once again her vast ar- ray of capabilities while participating in a towing exercise with LSS VORKTONN N during MED 1-90. 44

Page 47 text:

Lords Of Fire Damage Contrul is everybody ' s business. If you don l ihink so, just ask yourself this; How long can you tread svatcr? Shipboard fire-fighting is an all hands battle against a dan- gerous enemy. Training is the key to success, and training is done. From classroom lectures to hands-on hose handling, these are the skills which some day will save the ship and many lives. Damage control training begins as soon as a new crew member reports onboard. He must qualify in the bas- ics within one month. Topics stressed include procedures for donning an O.xygen Breathing .Apparatus, and an Emergency Escape Breathing De- vice. Also, importance is given to un- derstanding and activating ship- board fire-fighting systems such as Halo, bilge sprinkling and fixed CO 2. .After passing a written exam, the crewmember can begin to qualify in advance Damage control watchsta- tions in preparation for a place on the ship ' s fire party. Nozzlemen. Messengers. Hose- men, Investigators and the like all make up a fire party. In the event of a fire, these men rehearse where they will go and what they will do. Repeti- tion and familiarity with one ' s job are the keys to avoiding panic and doing the right thing if called to. Crewmembcrs can spend up to 7 hours a week simply training to com- bat different fire and Hooding situa- tions. The ship may someday depend on that knowledce. 43

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A ■ ' :l Christmas 1 here IS notlmig like bcnifi llnnie loi iMe Holidays, however when ihe HARRY E. DARNELL made its port call in Malaga. Spain for Christmas (and New dear ' s) the people of the Mediterranean cit and its neighboring vacation village of Tormelinos warmly greeted the men of HEY with a real Feiiz Navidad celebration. What ' s more, for many crewmembers home came to them, as over 60 wives and loved ones travelled to Malaga to meet the ship. In addition, a ship-sponsored Christmas Party for a local orphanage was an especially rewarding way for many men of YARNELL to spread the joy of the season by making Christmas 89 a memorable one for these children. Finally, the entire crew participated in the making of a Christmas Video. including per- sonal messages to loved ones from each division and a grand finale of 400 sailors singing Christmas carols which was shown at the dependents Christmas party back home.