Two U.S. sailors die after falling from submarine(USS Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Reuters ^ | 12/29/06

[Bottom_Gun]

they're very slick when wet. that picture was taken in calm waters. Having been out on there in winter months coming out of Groton I've slipped more than my share of times, thankfully I was able to recover with no mishap. I've been on the old Skipjack class, where you had to hand deploy the towed array from topside (STASS), and I could tell you some stories about being in Long Island Sound in rough weather topside!

[cva66snipe]

One other possibility too. Non swimmers. Seriously the Navy has them despite basic training requirements. We had a couple of guys who worked as Bosuns on our liberty boats that couldn't swim a foot much less tread water. The Coxun and me had to pull our bow hook out of the water one night. Lucky for him he always wore his life jacket.

[Bottom_Gun]

always a possibility. I'm a qualed diver (SS/DV). and one of my main complaints, and my wife's today ( 17 months till she retires) is that they want everyone to be able to run like a Marine, but a high percentage of Navy people can't swim. Now, where is the logic in that? *L*

[cva66snipe]

I don't know I was just lucky. I could swim like a fish so swiming was the easiest part of basic for me. I can tread water all day in good temps. When we ran the boats usually the only time I wore my jacket was in heavy seas. Worse night of my life on a 50 footer was getting between Fleet Landing Brindisi and the ship. We got fogged in about half way through the channel close to the sea wall. We about got hit by a cruise liner that was coming in too. All of the sudden there were lights lots and lots of bright lights. Less than 100 ft I know that much.

The AMERICA was the only carrier equiped with both a sonar dome and radar so we went back to the ship with the help of some good people guiding us back via radio up in Operations. Funniest thing was the OOD ordered someone to go up on the cat walk and ring the Foul Weather bell. With a 671 Detroit running even at idle speed you can forget hearing anything especially nearly two miles away.

[SmithL]

That's a file picture from several years ago. If there are any pictures from the time of the casualties, I haven't found them.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Lazamataz,


I am guessing but if they fell overboard while underway they got caught in the ship screws.

Clearly, they were screwed.


You are a complete Ass ... any questions ?

I'd tell you what you need to hear, but you'd undoubtedly go off pansy-ass whining to the Admin Moderator.


Patton-at-Bastogne

"May God and His Angels Guard Your Sacred Throne, and May You Long Become It."

Shakespeare, Henry V, Act I, Scene II


.

[SmithL]

I read on another board that one of the sailors was the COB, ETCS(SS) Thomas Higgins, and the other was STS2(SS) Michael Holtz. They were part of the small-boat handling party for the departing Pilot and were washed overboard. They were wearing safety lines.

Rest in Peace, Shipmates!

[NavyWife82303]

No one is taking this seriously. Whenever a sub leaves a port there is a team of sailors that stand on top as a watch. They are not in dress uniform. They are there to make sure the boat doesn't hit anything. They are tied down to the hull with lines. Rough seas, a wet deck and then a wave hitting them is what caused them to fall overboard. Now I don't know how many of you have tried swimming in steel toed boots, but I'm gonna guess it's pretty hard. Plus the teathers aren't that long. From what I heard, the two sailors who died hit their heads on the boat on the way down. They were never close to the screw. You can make fun of them, but here are two men, one of which I knew, and you people are making fun of the way they died. They died fighting for you. Keep that in mind. And respect their deaths.

[Adrianos]

Adrian Koumonduros (Friend) said...
Mike J. Holtz, 30 was an amazing friend, brother, son and father. The type of man that emulated the American spirit. He loved his job in the NAVY and all of those he served with him.

He comes from an amazing family, and raised by exceptional parents. Last night (New Years Eve) we held a celebration of life in the memory of Mike Holtz and Thomas Higgins. Instead of the traditional New Year toast, 25 close friends and family took a moment to speak of their life with a toast, and a moment of silence.

We thank all of you who have been supportive, both military and non-military. It is a very trying time with lots of questions. Together we will all go on and thats what Mike would have wanted.

Mike and Tom may you be resting in GOD's eternal kingdom.

[shellsbells2007]

As a family member of one of these sailors, I would like to thank all that have offered condolences, thoughts & prayers. No words can relieve the pain we are experiencing, but these words are very much appreciated. To know that extended family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances & complete strangers are so supportive in our time of need is an amazing thing. We are so blessed & so grateful for people like you.

TO THOSE IDIOTS (Lazamataz,Old Professer, & randog) WHO FIND THIS TO BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR CRASS & ASININE JOKES, I AM GOING TO CHOOSE MY WORDS CAREFULLY. Your lack of compassion for two families in mourning is astounding! Do you not think before you 'speak'? Your insensitivity is insulting. It is so tragic & devastating to lose a young loved one with a lifetime of dreams & plans ahead, someone who was so kind, generous & fun. You were cracking on someone's son, brother, father, & friend -Someone who served the country that you live freely in. As much as it really angers me, I hope that you & yours never have to experience one tenth of what we are now, and if you do, I hope that you don't have to witness to the crap I've read from you. I suggest you use more tact in expressing your opinion from now on, & possibly think about what you're about to say before you say it. It would be so easy to tell you to go rot somewhere very hot, but instead I just hope that you feel miserable for being such a jerk, and truly realize why your words were so offensive.

[Old Professer]

Welcome to the forum.

[Lazamataz]

I offer apologies for my insensitivity, and ask that you try to understand that -- at least for myself -- some of us try to deal with horror by using humor. It's all we can do not to burst into tears, so humor is our only outlet.