DVIDS – News – U.S. Navy Seabees, Divers Be part of Forces to Restore Guam Harbor of Refuge

GUAM (March 18, 2022) – U.S. Navy divers and Seabees are working intently with businesses in Guam as a part of a harbor restoration undertaking which incorporates eradicating remnants of deserted derelict vessels (ADV).

Alongside the western shoreline of Asan-Maina, Guam, the 125 foot-long stays of Harbor Utility Craft YFU-71 relaxation within the crystal-clear waters of Apra Harbor. Navy Divers assigned to Cellular Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, Firm 1-3 and Seabees of Naval Cellular Development Battalion (NMCB) 133, Detachment Guam, are working with the native Environmental Safety Company on the Guam Harbor of Refuge undertaking.

In October 2021, on the request of the Authorities of Guam, a U.S. Navy workforce representing Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific and Job Power 73 (CTF 73) started eradicating ADV on the Guam Harbor of Refuge (GHOR). This was in response to the governor’s Government Order No. 2020-42, which established Guam’s ADV Elimination Working Group. The group oversees the undertaking because the ADVs can change into navigational hazards and current threats to business and pure assets.

“We’re happy with the native and federal authorities collaborative efforts which have ensured that these ADVs now not pose as threats to our treasured marine setting,” stated Guam Environmental Safety Company Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero.

Members of the Guam ADV Elimination Group embody officers from the Guam Environmental Safety Company (GEPA), the Bureau of Statistics and Plans (BSP), and the Guam Division of Agriculture (DOAG). The GEPA, the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (USEPA), the usCoast Guard and the U.S. Navy have labored alongside the Guam Energy Authority (GPA) and the Port Authority of Guam (PAG) to establish and take away ADVs in and across the island of Guam. Officers from GEPA and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam (USCG) present maritime security and environmental oversight together with incidental oil spill prevention and response.

YFU-71 was commissioned July 10, 1967, and remained energetic effectively into the mid-70s. One of many first of its craft, the vessel was used as an armed tanker, tow boat and freighter. U.S. forces used it within the Republic of South Vietnam. The boat and its crews earned 12 marketing campaign stars and a Presidential Unit Quotation.

After greater than 20 years of service, the vessel was transferred to the Division of the Inside, the place it was re-christened because the “Guahan I,” which means a “place of assets” within the Chamorro language. It was then used as a maritime coaching vessel till its decommissioning within the early 2000s.

“After wanting intently on the vessel quantity and researching it, it was fairly shocking to see how a lot it had been by,” stated Steelworker Third Class Lazaro Marrero, a Seabee hooked up to NMCB 133, Det. Guam.

He defined the primary section of labor consists primarily of utilizing ultra-thermal slicing rods to slice by the virtually 70-year-old steel. Burning in extra of 10,000 levels Fahrenheit, these slicing rods lower or soften just about any recognized materials.

Whereas the undertaking helps shield the setting and facilitates renewed use of the harbor, it additionally offers coaching to Navy items as a part of the Progressive Readiness Coaching (IRT) program. The U.S. Division of Protection IRT program grants the U.S. Navy the authorized authority to take part on this undertaking.

“[Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio] and I are appreciative of assist Guam has acquired from CTF 73 by the IRT program,” stated Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. “Our administration stays dedicated to defending our surroundings, and can proceed to foster furthering success of the Guam’s ADV Elimination Working Group.”

IRT is a collaborative program that leverages navy contributions and neighborhood assets to multiply worth and price financial savings for contributors. By this military-civil collaboration, communities sometimes present supplies and fundamental companies, whereas navy items contribute personnel and coaching assets. Guam’s IRT salvage undertaking, carried out by U.S. Navy divers and Seabees, will assist present entry to GHOR, particularly throughout extreme climate occasions.

“By the Innovation Readiness and Coaching program, we’re empowered to hold out an operation that concurrently advantages the Navy and the individuals of Guam,” stated Lt. Max Cutchen, U.S. seventh Fleet salvage officer, Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific/CTF-73.

“This salvage operation has offered a useful alternative for U.S. Navy contributors to hone expertise required for expeditionary port harm restore and opening. The expertise gained in Guam may be straight utilized in future operations to allow logistics in any setting.”

MDSU-1 is comprised of specialised dive firms to conduct emergency water repairs, salvage operations, in addition to harbor and waterway clearance.

“It took fairly a little bit of planning, however the execution has actually come collectively,” stated Navy Diver First Class Max Schaefer, assigned to MDSU-1, Co. 1-3.

Most of the divers and Seabees concerned within the undertaking say they’re proud to be a part of the undertaking, which incorporates their items’ historic presence in Guam and the area.

“It’s important to each instructions that we’re combining efforts, laying to relaxation a embellished Vietnam-era harbor utility craft,” stated Gear Operator First Class Jeffrey Lawrence, assigned to NMCB 133, Det. Guam.