Deck

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Learn the story behind A Boatswain and His Mates

Lieutenant Commander David Owen, from Ashland, Ohio is USS INDEPENDENCE’s First Lieutenant. He is directly responsible to the Commanding Officer for the organization, administration, and operation of Deck Department. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Yoder, from Waianae, Hawaii is the Ship’s Boatswain, and he serves as the First Lieutenant’s primary technical assistant on all seamanship evolutions.

Together they implement and enforce policies to safely lead 4 officers and 87 enlisted personnel in the execution of mooring, anchoring, refueling, and transferring cargo and personnel. In the past year Deck Department spent over 9,000 man-hours alongside oilers (mobile gas stations if you will) transferring the pressure blood of life that makes Freedom's Flagship sail and the airwing's planes fly. When all was said and done Deck Department transferred more than 20 million gallons of fuel (around a million trips to the local gas station for your car) during 55+ refueling evolutions, and it was done safely, professionally and of course with a smile! Another dangerous responsibility of Deck Department involves mooring 80,000 Tons of cast iron steel to a pier. Depending on the prevailing winds and current the INDEPENDENCE requires anywhere from 11 to 13; 8" to 12" diameter lines to keep her settled alongside side a pier. Orchestrating this evolution requires the exact timing of all players involved; from the Commanding Officer located on the bridge to the young Seaman Recruit handling lines on the deck-plates. A single minute may mean the difference in running the ship aground (costing the taxpayers money) or parting a line and seriously injuring personnel (a price to precious to gauge). With this in mind the 3 Historic Port Visits INDEPENDENCE made last year to Port Kelang, Malaysia; Guam, USA; and Otaru, Japan would not have been possible without the superior knowledge and training of the men of Deck Department.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Eric Amos, from Saint Paul, Illinois and Boatswain's Mate Chief Petty Officer William Allison, from Canney, Kansas command First Division. First Division is responsible for the upkeep of three critical areas aboard INDEPENDENCE. The first area is the maintenance of the ship’s two, thirty-ton Navy Standard Stockless anchors and the port and starboard anchor chains. The anchor chain is a series of 360-pound links that attach the anchor to the ship's hull. The port and starboard anchor chains each measure 1080 feet in length, and together they weigh approximately 612,000 pounds. The flukes on the anchor and the weight of the anchor chain keep the ship in position while at anchorage. Next is the Ceremonial Forecastle. The Forecastle is the focus point for all formal meetings that take place on INDEPENDENCE, including church services, while at sea. The Forecastle's immaculate appearance and its red, white, and blue color scheme symbolize the division's professionalism and patriotism. Finally, First Division ensures the operability of INDY's 219, twenty-five man life rafts. Each life raft contains food and water for 25 people for 5 days, a signaling kit with a mirror and flare gun, fishing gear, water proof matches, a desalinization kit and a first-aid kit. Oh almost forgot the cellular phone, just kidding! No matter the assignment, the men of First Division meet it head-on.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alexander Bullock III, from Mitchellville, Maryland and Boatswain's Mate Chief Petty Officer Ronald Herb from Canastota, New York command Second Division. Together they supervise and train 31 sailors in the proper operation and maintenance of the Captain's Gig, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), Motor Whale Boat (MWB), and Boats & Aircraft Crane. The Captain's Gig is the Commanding Officer's personal 40' pleasure boat. Two plush compartments, one forward and one aft, are capable of carrying 20 of the Captain's closest friends. The RHIB is the ship’s primary Rescue Boat. It is capable of carrying 15 passengers and 3 crewmembers. The RHIB is extremely maneuverable and FAST, reaching speeds in excess of 25 knots. This boat is the pride and joy of 2^nd Division. The MWB is the ship’s secondary lifeboat. Though not as fast the RHIB, this boat’s powerful diesel engine is capable of towing boats up to twice its size. The MWB is the Workhorse of 2^nd Division. The ship's Boats & Aircraft Crane can hoist and lower loads weighing up to 25 tons. Underway the crane is used to lift the Admiral's Barge and the Captain's Gig off the ship and lower them into the water. Inport the crane is capable of moving aircraft from the pier to the ship and vice versa. Can driving luxury and high-speed boats be considered a job? Some people consider this retirement. Second Division truly has the best of both worlds!

Lieutenant Junior Grade Ronald Baisden, from Elizabeth, New Jersey and Boatswain's Mate First Class Sam Harrison Woehnker, from Gillette, Wyoming command Third Division. As in each division in Deck Department, Third Division has its own area of expertise. Third Division specializes in Underway Replenishments (UNREP). An UNREP is an evolution in which INDY cruises alongside another ship for the purpose of transferring fuel, ammunition, personnel, and stores (food/supplies/cargo). The INDEPENDENCE has eleven UNREP stations. Four stations receive fuel; two stations deliver fuel; and five stations receive and deliver cargo. Third Division’s primary mission is maintaining all UNREP gear and equipment in a state of maximum readiness. The INDEPENDENCE is one of four steam-powered aircraft carriers left in the Navy today. In order to generate the steam that turns the engines, that turns the propellers, that propels the ship the through the water, eight boilers burn fuel to boil water. In order to maintain the amount of fuel required to "steam" (go from place to place) and fly constantly, an UNREP must be accomplished approximately every three to four days. In addition to Underway Replenishments, Third Division mans INDY’s amidships' mooring lines when entering and exiting port.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Ashley Steele from Coronado, California is the Assistant First Lieutenant and the department's Training Division Officer. Training Division prepares lesson training guides, schedules weekly training plans and coordinates the assignment of sailors to Naval schools within Japan and the United States. Training Division transforms the new recruits of today into the officers and chiefs of tomorrow.

Boatswain's Mate Second Class Petty Officer Curtis Leverette from Martin City, Montana commands the 19 men of Fourth Division. While inport Fourth Division maintains the preservation and material condition of the exterior sides of the ship ("THE SIDES") which cover an area of 360,000 square feet (around 8 football fields). As the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, INDEPENDENCE frequently hosts dignitaries from countries around the world, and the meticulous appearance of "THE SIDES" make their first impression of the United States Navy and the ship's crew a positive and long-lasting one. While underway the division's focus shifts gears from exterior painting and preservation to interior painting and space beautification. This division systematically paints every compartment (over 375 spaces) onboard the ship. The fruits of their labor are the crew's increased quality of life and morale. In addition to painting Fourth Division operates the ship's sail loft (sewing room) and mans one of eleven UNREP stations during replenishments at sea.