USS Avenger
 
4/29/2011 
Mineman 3rd Class Joshua Sinsheimer, a search and rescue diver aboard USS Avenger, swims to a dummy used for man overboard drill 
EAST CHINA SEA (April 29, 2011) — Mineman 3rd Class Joshua Sinsheimer, a search and rescue diver aboard USS Avenger (MCM 1), swims to a dummy used for man overboard drills. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone)
USS Avenger Practices Search and Rescue Operations 
Story by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone  
EAST CHINA SEA - The mine countermeasure ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) search and rescue (SAR) team completed a multifaceted series of drills April 29.

The drills are designed to test the proficiency of shipboard SAR swimmers in addition to building seamanship skills with the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) crew.

The evolution started out by throwing a dummy over the side simulating a man overboard. The ship called away man overboard and launched a RHIB to recover the man.

"The interesting thing about any search and rescue operation is that it involves personnel from all departments of the ship," said Ensign Garth Thomas, the boat officer of the RHIB. "Operations personnel chart the possible locations of the person we're searching for, while deck department Sailors move personnel and equipment into the water to recover them. It certainly is more than a simple seamanship evolution."

Mineman 3rd Class Joshua Sinsheimer was the first SAR swimmer to enter the ocean from the RHIB during the drill. He quickly recovered the dummy and returned it to the RHIB. Sinsheimer then swam back out to sea and made a signal for the second part of the evolution to begin.

"That's when I became the SAR swimmer and Sinsheimer was the person needing to be rescued," said Quartermaster Seaman Joshua Kissel, another SAR swimmer aboard Avenger. "I assessed the situation and dove in. Once I got to Sinsheimer, I inspected him for any medical issues and signaled the RHIB to come alongside."

By having to take a real, live person back through open seas, Kissel said the evolution effectively simulated real-life search and rescue operations. Kissel said that the way a person floats, swims and struggles in the water changes everything.

"It went well. It's always good to do these training evolutions. It keeps us focused," said Kissel.

After Sinsheimer and Kissel were safely aboard the RHIB, the boat returned to Avenger. The search and rescue team completed the evolution with a quick debrief from the boat officer.

Thomas said, "I felt really confident about today's drill. I think, if we ever have to save someone's life out in the high seas, they'll be safe with USS Avenger on patrol."
US Navy Recruiting | No Fear Act | FOIA | USA.gov | US Navy | US Marine Corps | Navy Reserves | Individual Augmentee | Veterans Crisis Line This is an official United States Navy Website. This US Government system is subject to monitoring. Please read our Privacy Policy notice.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of the Navy of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy  does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.
Share