Page 45: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2025)

Remove Moisture and Perform a

Vacuum Leak Test

Deck Purge Box

Photograph courtesy of John Freeman

Capt. Charlie MacVean with some of his USS SEAWOLF (SSN575) divers.

From 1972 until 1975, Commander MacVean served as the Commissioning Executive Of? cer of the USS PARCHE • Nitrogen-free (SSN683). PARCHE became the most highly decorated ship • Compact, fully integrated in U.S. Navy history, mainly for missions that remain clas- si? ed to this day.

• Universal power supply

He reported for duty as the Commanding Of? cer of USS • Patented designs

SEAWOLF (SSN575) in 1975. During his three years in command, USS SEAWOLF conducted extensive classi? ed

Used with: operations in the Paci? c.

MacVean had a close intellectual and personal relation- ship with Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, Father of the Nuclear

Self-sealing Purge Ports

Navy, which he recounted on occasion with stories, in- cluding a presentation for the Naval Submarine League, “Admiral Rickover-Up Close and Personal.” Once, while commanding a classi? ed mission on SEAWOLF, a rack of electronics in a power panel failed spectacularly. To repair it, the submarine surfaced in a fog bank, spare parts were substituted and tested, the reactor restarted, and the ship submerged. USN protocol required SEAWOLF to return to port. MacVean, however, assembled his of? cers in the mess, discussed the matter, expressed his con? dence in the repair and testing, and suggested they complete the mission. The of? cers unanimously agreed. The mission was completed, and they returned to port. On the return trip, he sent the mes- globaloceandesign.com sage “Mission Completed.” And a second, “btw, we had a ? re in the reactor compartment.” The Navy was not amused. [email protected]

On the brink of court martial, Rickover intervened, writing, 858.560.1799 www.marinetechnologynews.com

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