Damage controlmen fight to plug up holes during the pipe patching contest. Damage controlmen had to execute several different tasks as part of their category during SNOW. Photo by Paige Gnann

Let It SNOW At NS Mayport

By Lt. Gil Ayan
ATG Mayport

The Mayport/Jacksonville Chapter of the Surface Navy Association held the first annual Surface Navy Olympic Week (SNOW) at Naval Station Mayport last week.

A weeklong series of nautical events, local commands demonstrated their proficiencies in seagoing skills. The competition included a diverse array of events in several categories, including deck/seamanship, navigation/signals, damage control, first aid, search and rescue, and culinary arts.

True to the event's acronym, ''SNOW'', many of the events had a cold weather twist that added a level of difficulty, and entertainment.

The individual category events were orchestrated and judged by the subject matter experts from Afloat Training Group, Mayport (ATGM).

The deck/seamanship category involved feats that tested brawn as well as brains.

These events included a boatswain's mate written test, piping contest, lanyard contest, knot tying, line splicing, heaving line toss, and an extreme weather paint punt race.

The navigation and signals category tested the pinpoint accuracy and precision of participants.

USS Gettysburg brings home the trophy for its overall winning performance during the first Surface Navy Olympic Week (SNOW). Photo by Paige Gnann

The navigation events included a quartermaster test and a bridge chart house inspection of which the top three finalist had to conduct a bright work polish off on the last day of the competition. The polish off included a piece of brass frozen into a block of ice that finalists had to extract and polish.

Other navigation events included deck log presentation and a plotting exam where plotters wore mittens since the exam took place on a ''snowy'' beach. The sand had to be substituted for snow due to the seasonal temperatures.

There was also a New Year's Eve deck log entry and a personnel inspection.

USS Klakring Sailor QM1(SW) John Lasch participated in the plotting and deck log entry exercises.

''I think it's great,'' Lasch said about SNOW week. ''It gives us a chance to get out and meet other people in our rate from around the basin.''

The signalmen competed in a visual communications exercise that included a signalman written exam, a semaphore exercise, and a flag hoist exercise.

To test the speed and attention to detail of participants in the damage control category, DC events included a fire fighting ensemble dress out, P-100 pump and peri jet dewatering system setup, pipe patching, fire station manned and ready race, message writing, and DC plotting competition test.

The first aid category focused on the care and relocation of an injured shipmate; these aspects were evaluated as a single event where a four-member team treated simulated wounds and transported a fifth team member on a Stokes Litter. For added realism, the First Aid event was hosted by USS Gettysburg.

The Search And Rescue participants joined at the base pool and competed against each other in a good, old fashioned fitness test as well as a wet version of the game show, Jeopardy.

BMC(SW) Thomas Beard inspects the knot tying ability of boatswain's mates from area commands. Photo by SHSN Ivy Juarez

On the last day of the event the Mess Specialist from all the participating commands laid out quite a spread for the Culinary event consisting of a MARDI GRAS (Taste of the Bayou) Cook Off.

''I think this is wonderful,'' MS1(SW) Kenneth Williams of USS Samuel B. Roberts said. ''It helps bring up the morale for the ships, and shows our team spirit.''

Rear Adm. James Stravridis (CCDG-12), Capt. Doug McDonald (CO ATGM), Capt. Paul Rosbolt (CDS-24), and Capt. Bernard Jackson (CDS-14) served as judges for the cook-off event. Once the judges evaluated the fare the food was opened to all that had gathered at the base club for the award ceremony and a party.

''I think this creates a lot of good spirit and friendly competition,'' said Capt. Edward Hebner, USS Gettysburg commanding officer. Gettysburg was the overall winner for the week's events. ''It gathers all surface warriors together in a time of fun and watefront team building. It's all about fun.''

McDonald, president of the Mayport SNA chapter said, ''I was extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and professionalism of the participating Surface Warriors. I am proud to have had Surface Navy Association sponsor these events, and I look forward to next year's competition.''