All personnel should be kept clear of the fantail
When the cutter is released after placement on
the sweep wire, veer the sweep wire as soon as
and acoustic or magnetic power cables when the
practical and continue placing the needed
gear is being pulsed.
cutters. Expedite the recovery until the cutters
All power cables should be inspected upon their
are close aboard and the safety pins can be
recovery following each normal streaming and
installed.
after a known or suspected grounding or
Do not modify or alter a cutter in any way. Doing
collision. All defects should be corrected before
so may result in casualties to personnel and
the cables are reused.
damage to the cutter.
All grips on the cables should be wrapped with
Ensure that the firing (trip) lanyards do not
two or more layers of heavy canvas secured with
become entangled and that they are long enough
marlin when the cables are stowed on the reel.
to reach the monitoring station on the 01 level to
All shackles should be removed from the bridle,
prevent accidental firing of the Mk 15 cutter.
and the preventor pendant shackles should be
positioned as flat as possible against the cables.
Use safety lanyards (tag lines) on all cutters
when they are being placed on the sweep wires
COLD WEATHER MINESWEEPING
and remove them after the cutters are attached.
PRECAUTIONS
INFLUENCE MINESWEEPING SAFETY
The following additional precautions apply to cold
PRECAUTIONS
weather minesweeping operations:
The following safety precautions apply to influence
Magnetic Cable
minesweeping operations, in addition to the general
minesweeping safety precautions:
Avoid excessive handling of the magnetic cable.
All personnel must obtain permission from the
Cold weather tends to stiffen the cable, and care must be
commanding officer or the officer of the deck
taken to prevent the insulation from cracking or
before entering the drum area.
splitting. The temperature of the cable should be at least
5F before it is streamed. Use portable electric heaters
There should be no loose gear in the drum area.
to warm the cable. During recovery, apply heat to
prevent icing and to assist drying. Carefully remove
All personnel should stay clear of the drum when
any ice that forms during recovery, and dry the cable as
it is in motion.
much as possible as it is reeled in to prevent it from
sticking together on the reel.
The operator should not turn the drum until he or
she has ascertained that (1) all personnel are
Deck Machinery
clear, and (2) all running parts of the drum are
Cover deck machinery with canvas covers to
clear.
prevent the accumulation of ice and snow. Operate the
The acoustic deck receptacle should not be
machinery periodically. Before using the machinery,
opened unless:
inspect it for blocks of ice that may jam moving parts.
Where practical, hand turn or jack the equipment and
-- Someone capable of rendering first aid for
comply with cold weather lubrication charts, after
electric shock is present.
ensuring that the lubricants are water-free.
-- A electrician qualified to service the deck
Stern Roller Chocks
receptacle and connect or disconnect a cable
is available.
Clear the stem roller chocks, the "H" frame, and the
auto rewind to ensure that they turn freely before you
-- No power is being supplied to the deck
begin streaming and recovery operations.
receptacle from the manual or automatic
control panels.
Acoustic Devices
Radical speed changes should be avoided if the
Apply heat to the acoustic devices internally before
they are operated at temperatures below 20F. Two
presence of acoustic mines is suspected.
12-4
