Sailors aboard the Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) conducted a total ship survivability exercise (TSSE), Feb. 19.
“TSSE is used to effectively evaluate and train the crew on their war fighting readiness skills and damage control capabilities,” said Chief Damage Controlman Patrick Ferrer. “It provides a realistic environment for the ship to prepare us to take appropriate actions on every casualty scenario that may happen.”
A casualty can be a fire, flood or injury to persons onboard the ship.
The exercise included multiple simulated damage control evolutions including aircraft accident, firefighting, and incoming enemy attack drills.
Sailors also use sound power telephones to communicate known casualties during the exercise.
Sound powered telephones are communication devices that generate an electric signal from the pressure generated by sound waves from the users voice. This is a great advantage in an emergency situation where electricity may not be available.
“Sound power telephones are the primary communication lines for repair lockers and stations around the ship,” said Yeoman 3rd Class James Wallace. “It’s very important to keep in touch with damage control central for updates on casualties.”
TSSE is conducted frequently while underway to ensure Denver’s Sailors have the skills they need to keep their ship in the fight during a combat situation.
Denver, the Navy’s oldest deployable warship, is assigned to the USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations.
[mappress] Press Release, February 24, 2014, 2014; Image: Navy