Navy Gallery

Blue Water Operations

This series, taken mid-Atlantic during our crossing to the Mediterranian in '84, shows the amount of rise and fall even a huge ship like the carrier can have during moderate seas.  'Blue Water Operations' refers to being in deep ocean, as opposed to being near a continental shelf, and even though the sea looks fairly calm, the swells are quite large.  The frigate alongside the Saratoga is preparing to send lines across to receive fuel and supplies, and they were succesful in completing that task. The two ships steamed alongside, about 100 feet apart, for almost two hours, without accident or injury.  During an Underway Replenishment, or, UNREP, there can be as many as four ships linked by wires and hoses, steaming for several hours transferring supplies and fuel.  

Camera: Bronica ETRsi, 80mm lens, VPS film

This page is best viewed with a salt breeze in your face.

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