speed desired. For example, 7 indicates 7 knots. BS is
to maintain good visibility of the beach and its
indicated by repeating the letter BRAVO three times.
approaches.
Examples of quiet landing signals follow:
SIGNAL
MEANING
3RR5
5C5
Wave three, vector right 20°; make 5 knots
Wave five, maintain course; make 5 knots
2L3
Wave two. vector left 10°: make 3 knots
I
1CBBB
Wave one, maintain course; make battle
speed
I
AFLOAT SALVAGE OPERATIONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the
purpose of the afloat salvage operation and the
craft involved in the operation.
During a ship-to-shore surface assault on a hostile
beach, a certain number of casualties among the
assault craft are inevitable. The mission of the salvage
organization is to keep boat lanes and beachheads
clear of disabled assault craft so that movement to the
beach is maintained.
CRAFT INVOLVED IN SALVAGE
Wave commanders control their boats by means
OPERATIONS
of hand signals, as shown in figure 12-16.
A heavy salvage boat is normally an LCM
converted as stated in BOATALT 19C, dated 05/10/63,
and is stationed outside the surf zone but close enough
A light salvage boat is normally an LCPL and is
stationed seaward of the surf zone along the boat lanes
as required.
Salvage teams should consist of personnel from
one ship trained as a team to maintain consistency.
Personnel for salvage teams should be assigned as
shown in figure 12-15.
NOTE
One team member must be a qualified search
and rescue (SAR) swimmer.
The boat equipage for the heavy salvage and
the ABGC/light salvage boats is detailed in NWP
22-3.
DISPATCHING VESSELS
The visual signals used to dispatch the boat waves
from the LOD are displayed by both the primary and
secondary control vessels. Every wave commander
has a radio in the boat, and the foregoing signals are
paralleled by radio signals.
At night, lighted wands or flashlights are used.
The positions are the same as for the day signals.
Lights are turned on when the hands are in the starting
positions and turned off when the signals have been
HEAVY SALVAGE BOAT
LIGHT SALVAGE BOAT
1 - Salvage officer
1 - BM2/BM3 (salvage rigger)
1 - BMC/BMl (salvage rigger)
1 - SM3/SMSN
1 - ENl/EN2
1 - HT2/HT3
1 - HT2/HT3
1 - RM3/RMSN
1 - RM3/RMSN
l - SN
1 - SM3/SMSN
1 - HM3/HMSN
l - SN
Figure 12-15.Salvage team personnel.
12-23