'Northern Lights' in 'Iraqi Freedom' Sealift

'Northern Lights' in 'Iraqi Freedom' Sealift

Officers, crew on Jones Act vessel honored to be with troops

      The following was written by Captain Jack Hearn, master aboard the SS Northern Lights, in Kuwait. The Northern Lights is a Jones Act ship used by the Navy's Military Sealift Command in support of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region. The Northern Lights, which ordinarily operates between Washington State and Alaska, is operated for Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) by Interocean Ugland Management Corp. The vessel is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers and by a Seafarers International Union crew.

     SS Northern Lights
     Operation Iraqi Freedom
     Master's Report
     Events of 3/20-3/22, 2003

March 20
      U.S. Marine Corps personnel were embarked on the ship as a security detachment. The master requested that these personnel assist with chemical, biological and radiological defense training (CBRD) to ship's personnel. The training was incorporated into the ship's regular training schedule. Three sessions were held. All ship's personnel were required to receive training in CBRD masks and protective clothing. The Marines trained us as they are trained for the field. They were thorough and gave attention to detail. Every crew member donned a mask and protective clothing during these training sessions.
      The night before arrival, March 19, the ship navigated the remaining miles at slow speeds due to heavy shipping traffic. The Northern Lights maneuvered to avoid scores of ships departing the impending war zone of the Persian Gulf. Naval ships, "coalition war ships," intermixed in the areas and complicated radar plotting. We passed an aircraft carrier in full operation, launching jets and, later, receiving returning aircraft. A naval helo carrier, restricted in her ability to maneuver, requested the Northern Lights turn away. We suspected that these ships were already in full battle operation.
      Though the moon was full and bright, visibility was reduced to less than two miles due to the regional dust storms. The radio traffic was awful. Coalition war ships repeatedly called merchant vessels to ask them to identify themselves. Additionally, the "cat-calls" of local Arab fishermen and oil field workers on the VHF channel screamed--truly screamed taunts and jokes. The most laughable was a raspy accented voice calling, "George Bush! George Bush! George Bush! This is Saddam Hussein. I want to talk to you!"
      The master ordered ship's personnel be issued CBRD masks and clothing. Masks were ready for use, canisters activated and applied. The ship approached port for berthing and cargo discharge. Arrival was 0830, and the Iraq deadline had been expired for four and half hours.
      The ship was all fast and finished with engines at 1100. Immediately after all fast, a U.S. Navy boarding officer briefed the master. The ship was berthed in an area of high risk of a terrorist attack or an industrial accident. An ammonia plant and a chlorine plant were at each end of the marine terminal. A SCUD attack was also possible. The Kuwait siren warning system would alert by various bursts the warning for each possibility.
      The USNS Pililaau (MSC) was berthed just forward of the Northern Lights. The Pililaau was completing cargo discharge and was scheduled to depart at 1800. These were the only two American ships in port.
      The first SCUD alert occurred at 1245 while Kuwait Customs was still clearing the Northern Lights. The harbor siren sounded the warning. Military personnel donned gas masks as they had trained.
      The captain ordered ship's personnel to don gas masks and proceed to emergency stations. The ship's emergency stations were designated shelters. Third Mate Matt Huyter issued the only two spare masks to the Kuwait Customs officer and the ship's agent. They were taken to shelter ata lower deck. The captain, on the bridge, assumed communications with Naval security and sounded the general alarm and the ship's whistle. Crew, the USMC detachment and military cargo handlers sought shelter within the ship's superstructure. The muster went well as all emergency stations were secured and all hands were accounted for. Ship's ventilation was secured. The ship was directed by Naval security to await further instructions. When the missile was reported down, Naval security broadcast this notice on VHF but ordered all personnel to remain in shelter.

Subsequent attacks and events follow:
      1325: SCUD/gas alert--U.S. Naval port security elevates attack preparations in the port to MOPP 2 level for CBRD. Crew dresses in CBRD protective clothing, keeps masks ready and with them at all times. The crew would remain in CBRD gear until the evening of departure, March 22. They would eat and sleep and work (in the gear). "Forget showers," I am required to tell them. "Keep your gear on, masks ready."
      1530: SCUD/gas alert--Ship's crew responds well to alert, mustering is in quick control. Military forces aboard ship and within running distance of ship use interior ship's spaces for shelter.
      1800: SCUD/gas alert--All hands on deck for shifting of ship. Ship's berth was incorrectly prepared for ramp deployment. Unassisted shift required movement of mooring lines as ship warped along the berth. The attack occurred as the ship's lines were loosened in a manner dangerous to ship security. Second Mate Neil Kelleher keeps the after gang together. They remained on deck and did not seek shelter until the ship was again safe in her mooring. Third Mate Matt Huyter is positioning the ramp location from the dock. Without a gangway, he is stranded there and cannot find shelter during the attack.
      Crew returned to duties and completed shifting of whip when the alert ended. This attack delayed departure of the USNS Pililaau. The Pililaau departed when able as the SS Northern Lights remained the sole American ship in the port. The Northern Lights was now recognized as the only shelter by nearby military personnel. Many sought relief aboard, including meals, showers and whatever else the ship could share and provide.
      2215: SCUD/gas alert--No warning siren given to alert personnel to seek shelter. The percussion blast of nearby missile explosion impacts and moves entire ship at her berth. No damage or injuries occur. Ship's crew and military personnel on the dock witnessed the missile strike and over a hundred personnel run the entire length of the pier for shelter within the ship.
      Able Seaman John Meier assists military personnel up gangway, at least a hundred persons in full run, donning gas masks as they board ship. Bosun John Glenn and Able Seaman K. "Wee" Taylor prepare cargo hold No. 3 as shelter large enough for the mass of personnel.
      Chief Mate Rich Cadigan submitted the following: "I was on the dock with Lt. Col. Jerry Thomas, U.S. Army. We heard a loud hissing noise and then there was an explosion behind the ship. You could feel the concussion from the blast. Everyone froze, someone yelled "Gas! Gas! Gas!," and that started the stampede to the gangway. I felt that I represented the Northern Lights well by coming in third in the "'Race to the Ship.'"
      Port security was unprepared for this sudden attack. Initial reports from the master to confirm the type of attack were vaguely met by port security. There were indications that the attack was possibly a terrorist attack. Barrels had been seen floating in the harbor. The captain admonished security to "get your sh** together." They did, and they did it well.
      Following this attack, ship and military personnel remain in CBRD gear at all times. The sudden attack alerted us all that SCUD strikes could occur at any time, without warning to seek shelter or don gear. Shipboard security is again elevated with USMC armed and ready on several stations on the ship. CWO Jim Duncan, USN, deploys additional security personnel with Third Mate Matt Huyter guiding him on the ship. Orders are given to the Marines as follows: "This ship will not be a soft target. If you see someone that might hurt this ship or someone on this ship, you kill them."

March 21
      0001: SCUD/gas alert--Just after midnight, MSC orders the cargo ramp deployed. All hands again on deck for ramp deployment. Crew again bravely remained on deck until ship's cargo and ramp equipment were safely secured.
      0113: SCUD/gas alert--Crew returns on deck to deploy ramp. Work is again interrupted by the attack.
      0220: SCUD/gas alert--Once more, the crew secures tools and ship's cargo gear for the attack. They tiredly return following the attack to finally deploy the ramp. Cargo discharge commences at 0320.
      Chief Mate Cadigan submitted the following: "This is where we were attempting to deploy the cargo ramp. Bosun John Glenn, Able Bodied Seamen "Ben" Purganan and "Wee" Taylor, GUDE Abdul Ahmed, and Electrician Dan Mitchell always stayed on deck long enough to secure winches, forklifts and lines. Not once but all three times during this ramp deployment. No complaints, no hesitation going back on deck."
      0920: SCUD/gas alert--Once again, Chief Cook Rey Telmo is found in the galley during the emergency muster. He is wearing protective clothing and gas mask but continues to work preparing food. In addition to crew meals, the ship's galley provided as many meals as possible to military personnel.
      1300: SCUD/gas alert--In the engine room, Third Assistant Engineer Jon Butcher is in the process of changing the main lube oil strainer. He could not leave the job undone so he dons his gas mask and protective clothing and continues working until the job is completed. The captain had permitted galley and engine room personnel to leave jackets "ready and nearby" due to the severity of heat and working conditions.
      1335: SCUD/gas alert--Cargo work is again interrupted. Chief Engineer Tony Vazquez guides Navy ordnance divers checking the hull for explosives. Dive operations are suspended during the attack. The divers seek shelter within the ship and enjoy meals and dive stories with officers. The divers stayed for a few hours after completing their work.
      2318: SCUD/gas alert--Cargo work interrupted. The crew is mustered in the same amount of time as daytime alerts. They've been sleeping in protective clothing and report quickly with gas masks on.

March 22
      0940:Chemical alert--Once again, no siren alerts the port. A car drives down the dock blasting three short honks on the horn, repeatedly. The signal is recognized, the driver is wearing a gas mask. Then the port sirens sound. Personnel in all areas calmly drop their tools, don their gas masks and move to shelters.
      Cargo is almost completely discharged. The ship is scheduled to depart at 1700. It is amazing that the ship's crew has adapted to wartime conditions within 48 hours. There are no complaints of fatigue though the overworked crew has not slept peacefully for days. There are no complaints of danger though the attacks have been steady. Not one man has suggested not leaving the port until the area is secured and deemed safe. As the work of U.S. Armed Forces proceeds into Iraq, the ship's work and support continues.
      Camaraderie with military personnel is extremely friendly. My crew guides military cargo handlers on the ship and they chat like neighbors. At the same time, I see crew handing out food and snacks, sharing MREs (meals ready to eat) and grabbing military issue bottles of water from the pallet loads left on the dock. The quarters are open to military visitors and rooms are left available to provide showers. Hats are traded--desert camouflage hats for ball caps. Presents are given--even items as small as a soft drink or a package of cookies. Once of the soldiers approached me. "Sir, are you the captain?" "Yes," I said. We shake hands. "Thank you for being here with us," he said.
      I have an ordinary crew, regulars and mostly seasoned in the rugged Alaska trade. Many of my crew are foreign born, quite a few are of Arabic heritage. I know they've done well, worked hard, and given whatever they could to help this cause. This is where the crew of this ship wanted to be: right here with these men and women. As professional merchant mariners and as Americans, we feel honored to be here.

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