Sailors Participate in Fleet Week Damage Control Olympics

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Morgan E. Dial, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (NNS) -- Damage Control teams Sailors from the USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), gathered for a competition at the 10th annual Resolve Marine Group's Damage Control Olympics at Port Everglades, Fla., April 26th.

Teams of four to 10 service members competed in five competitions, putting their damage control knowledge and skills to the test. The events included a P-100 pump rigging drill, a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) relay, a pipe-patching competition, a fire fighting drill and a search and rescue drill.

"My favorite event was the SCBA relay because it was so fast-paced," said Damage Controlman Fireman Josh Richardson, a USS Iwo Jima Sailor and native of Salisbury, N.C. "It tested our speed in dressing out in our firefighting ensemble and assembling the SCBA."

The competitions were judged by Resolve Marine Group training personnel and points were awarded for each evolution. At the end of the day, Sailors from the USS Iwo Jima took home the first place trophy for the third time in four years, followed by USS Ross who placed 2nd, and USS Normandy who placed third.

"We run drills like these all the time on the ship, so we were well prepared for every event today," said Richardson.

In between events, service members unwound by listening to live music and enjoying complimentary massages and smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Red Bull energy drink also sponsored the event with a Red Bull van stocked with free energy drinks for participants and attendees.

"It's our way of paying them back and showing our appreciation to Sailors when they are in our hometown," said Todd Duke, Resolve Marine Group's director of fire response. "We have a great time doing it and I think the Sailors enjoy it too."

The Resolve Marine Group trains cruise line and tanker crews in shipboard firefighting, safety and hazmat response.

Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011 has brought more than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to participate in this South Florida tradition, honoring sea services and establishing relationships through community outreach, public tours of sea platforms, and general tourism.