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SASEBO, Japan - In the second part of our series, we turn
our attention from the forward-deployed amphibious assault
ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) to the Sailors that are
getting her ready to take to the seas.
One of the first steps of that process is completed by a group of
Sailors with a tremendous knowledge of the seas and all the
accompanying obstacles that they present. Without this department,
Bonhomme Richard would be an aimlessly floating vessel without any
direction. The Sailors of the Navigation Department stand willing
and ready to ensure Bonhomme Richard stays the course and navigates
safely.
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December 10, 2014 -
Quartermaster Seaman Kiel Smith, from Paterson, N.J., uses a telescopic alidade to get true bearing from the forward lookout of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright)
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The Navigation Department consists of 15 Sailors that all
work countless hours to ensure they do their part to get the
ship underway. In the months and weeks leading up to a
deployment, they are responsible for a variety of tasks
including charting the ship's course, ensuring that the
Voyage Management System (VMS), Bonhomme Richard's primary
navigation radar, is up-to-date with the latest charts and a
variety of tasks leading to Bonhomme Richard getting
underway swiftly and safely.
“With everything that
needs to get done in Navigation before the ship can get
underway, it provides an enormous challenge for all of us,”
said Quartermaster 3rd Class James Branighan, from Allen,
Texas. “But, we take pride in attacking those challenges and
making sure that Bonhomme Richard can go out and execute her
mission.”
Charting the course and inputting
information into VMS are only two of the tasks needed to be
completed by Navigation to get Bonhomme Richard away from
the pier. They are also responsible for ensuring all of the
current publications, guidelines, charts and knowledge
sources are on board and up to date. Adding in their
equipment maintenance and upkeep responsibilities, and their
inport watches, this crew of dedicated Sailors work more
than 50 hours per week.
“We always need to be ready
to get Bonhomme Richard underway at a moments notice,” said
Quartermaster 2nd Class Bryan Payne, from Jacksonville, Fla.
“So, we put in the hours and take the necessary steps to
make sure that is possible. Staying one step ahead of the
game and being completely prepared well ahead of time is
something that we strive to achieve every day.”
Navigation Departments Sailors all echoed the sentiment that
they are 100 percent ready to get the ship on the right
course and she could leave tomorrow without missing a beat.
The course is charted, the equipment is ready and
Navigation's Sailors are prepared to continue to steer the
course.
By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright
USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
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