By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles, Fleet Week Media Center
April 29, 2010 - PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors and Coast Guardsmen came together for a bit of friendly competition at the Damage Control (DC) Olympics, an event held as part of the 20th Anniversary Fleet Week Port Everglades.
DC Olympics is an annual tradition at the south Florida-based fleet week, pitting damage control teams against each other. The timed multi-stage event is designed to test all aspects of damage control aboard a ship. The events in this year's competition included fire attack, search and rescue, p-100 race, dress out relay, and pipe patching.
"This is stuff we do on our ship on a daily basis, now we get to come out and do it for fun," said Fireman Aubry Rupp, from the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) team.
Teams from multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), guided missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG 40), USCGC Key Biscayne (WPB 1339) and German multi-purpose frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) gave it their all.
"It gives them something to do besides remain on the ship. It's a great day to be outside, to have a little fun, and cheer on their teammates," said Bob Corbett, Lead Instructor at Resolve Marine Group. The marine services company has a facility located at Port Everglades, and they have hosted the Fleet Week DC Olympics for the past several years.
The competition requires speed, technical skill, damage control knowledge and communication, and though the competition is more about fun and camaraderie, it is nice to be the winner, as the Iwo Jima team learned when they took the first place trophy. The German ship Hessen placed second, and the Coast Guard cutter Key Biscayne took third place.
The event was held as part of the 20th anniversary of Fleet Week Port Everglades, which started April 26 and will last through May 3.
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