Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2016)

(Courtesy of U.S. Navy/CBS ‘60 Minutes’)

Captain Gregg W. Baumann discusses with CBS ‘60 Minutes’ anchor Scott Pelley the technology to be deployed in the search for El Faro. The feature El Faro spot aired on CBS on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

If you missed it, view the 60 Minutes video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/live/video/60-minutes-goes-on-the-hunt-for-el-faro/

While the search for El Faro was largely a success, the impor- tant voyage data recorder (pictured right on top of the El

Faro navigation bridge prior to the sinking) has not been found.

(Photo:NTSB) objectives within just a few weeks. Unfortunately, we removed the ship without causing any further damage the Navy. SUPSALV co-chaired a Diving Operational have yet to be able to locate the VDR. The accident to the reef or allowing the release of pollution or haz- Assessment Integrated Project Team that conducted a is still under investigation with the NTSB and United ardous substances into the environment. holistic review of Navy Diving Program compliance

States Coast Guard. with requirements with particular focus on supervisor

Your job by its inherent nature is a dangerous

A second salvage example would be the successful accountability. Integral to this effort was an assessment one. Put the emphasis on safety in perspective.

removal of USS Guardian (MCM 5) in 2013. The of the culture within the diving community, as it affects ship unfortunately ran hard aground on Tubbataha Reef our ability to adequately assess operational readiness, in the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Due to the sensitive On diving safety, personnel safety is always effectively plan missions, accurately apply operational reef environment, the inability to access the vessel with the primary consideration. This involves ensuring risk management, safely execute dives, and apply les- large removal equipment, monsoon weather and seas, safety is paramount in both the design of Divers Life sons learned. The ? ndings of the review found: Navy

SUPSALV brought together a team of navy divers, a Support Systems (DLSS) as well as diving operations diving continues to meet Combatant Commander re- navy salvage ship, salvage engineers, and commercial themselves. We ensure safety is designed into, tested quirements and supervisory accountability, and that salvors to safely remove the ship from the reef by cut- for and eventually certi? ed in all of our DLSS. Tragi- navy diving is effective. However, there were speci? c ting it up. Balancing environmental concerns, effective cally though, we lost four sailors in diving accidents areas that were deemed to need improvement: improve salvage plans, and political sensitivities, SUPSALV in 2013. As a result, we conducted a strategic assess- supervisor decision making, development, quali? ca- safely sectioned the ship into four 250-400 ton lifts, and ment of the safety of diving operations throughout tion, and pro? ciency; build effectiveness in command 40 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2016

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