USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is preparing for high winds and heavy seas Aug. 26 as Hurricane Danielle makes her way up the Atlantic coast while the ship conducts work-ups.
Information gathered from the Naval Maritime Forecast Center's website predicts Danielle's path will stay well off the Eastern Seaboard. However, with Enterprise conducting flight operations off the Atlantic coast, Danielle could create complications for the thousands of Sailors aboard.
According to Enterprise's Meteorology and Oceanography Center (METOC), the aircraft carrier should not get directly hit by the storm, but the crew will likely feel the effects due to the ship's proximity.
As the ship moves away from the hurricane, the crew is implementing safeguards to protect personnel and vital equipment from damage. While aircraft carriers do not rock as much as smaller ships, heavy sea states can cause damage.
"We should start seeing the effects from Danielle this weekend," said Lt. Cmdr. Patrick J. Havel, Enterprise's METOC officer. "We can expect 20-knot winds from the north and 10-foot swells."
Sailors aboard Enterprise are tying down all loose objects on board to ensure they don't damage personnel or equipment in the event of heavy rolls. The Navy trains to make stowing for sea, as this process is called, second nature to Sailors.
Stowing for sea is important to protect equipment, but the safety of each Sailor and Marine is the top priority.
"Depending upon how rough the seas are, the damage costs could run into thousands of dollars, and we run the risk of serious injury," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class David B. Hall.
Anything not secured to an immobile object, bulkhead, overhead or deck must be tied down before the ship can be considered stowed for sea.
In an announcement over the ship's loudspeaker system, the ship's commanding officer, Capt. O. P. Honors Jr., informed the crew of the situation and ordered all hands to take the necessary actions to ensure the ship is prepared for the storm.
Hurricane Danielle is the fourth named storm this hurricane season.
Enterprise is conducting work-ups and flight deck operations in preparation for its upcoming deployment.
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