[Laz711]

They left the breakwater before getting everyone below decks (with the exception of the Bridge crew, that is). I was a nuke that spent every maneuvering watch in the ER, but I was under the impression that everyone topside was required to be below decks prior to leaving the breakwater, for this very reason. In fact, I thought that the FET and AET hatches were supposed to be closed (maybe that was just SOP on the SSN-711)

[Doohickey]

Here's an even more coherent story: http://www.wvec.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8MAMIPG2.html

Sounds like all four were using deck crawlers, but were they wearing kapoks?

[OCCASparky]

Hard to say--there is a map posted there but since I was primarily West Coast I can't say anything, having never done a port visit to Plymouth.

But I do know that in places like Pearl you did have time to get everyone out before clearing Papa Hotel. In San Diego, you didn't.

[relee]

They left the breakwater before getting everyone below decks (with the exception of the Bridge crew, that is).

That's what it sounds like. I was the bridge phone talker during too many maneuvering watches in the '70 and our line handlers were always below before we left the harbor.