2004 America Project

Updated 09-09-04

The NPS has approved our plan.  The GLSPS is planning to repair some damage that has occurred in the last two years to the America.   The park reviewed the proposed plan and has approved it.   The project is planned for September 10-12, a Friday through Sunday.  The work will be done using three boats the Heyboy, Amarada, and RLT Diver III.  We have room for 14  participants.

In an attempt to use the web to do the project sign-ups I am posting the list of positions and personnel signed up.  Members who have work experience will be given preference for the main tasks.  Members who have taken the training classes will be given preference for the apprentice positions.  Members who applied last year but were turned down for space reasons are on the top of the list.  We always try to have 25% new workers.  Current First Aid and CPR certification is a strong plus.  To sign up email me at kmerryman@glsps.org and let me know what position you would like to be considered for and what your background and training is.   Include in your email your current diving certification level, an estimate of the number of cold water shipwreck dives you have done in the last two years, any GLSPS training classes you have taken, and whether you have a current First Aid and CPR certification.  Also let me know if you have any "job skills" in the areas on the job list.  Just because there is already a name in the slot does not mean you will not be considered for the position.  Many participants can and do fill multiple positions and I will re-arrange people's tasks to fill the needs.  Update: The positions have been filled now.

America Project Position Descriptions

• Project Manager – The project manager is in charge of the project.  He leads the project planning, makes sure needed equipment and manpower is available, directs the operation, may schedule dives, and is the final decision maker except all decisions are subject to approval by the Safety Officer and Boat Captains.
• Task Manager – On larger projects the project management may be broken up to allow multiple teams to work on different parts of the project.  In this case the task manager directs the operation of the team and schedules dives and makes decisions pertaining to his team.
• Safety Officer – In charge of making sure safety protocol is followed.  He has the final say in what can be done in the water on site.          
• Boat Captains – In charge of safe operation of the boat and operations on the boat.  Has the final say on all actions that affect the safety of the boat or passengers.
• Tender for Surface Supplied Divers – In charge of surface communications and hose maintenance with the working diver.  There will always be a tender on station when a diver is down.
• Tender for Scuba Divers – In charge of surface communications if communication sets are used, logs in and out times, and is at the platform to relay requests for additional equipment and information, or in case of a problem.  He is responsible to help keep the work area orderly.
• Scuba Diver – Does the underwater work using scuba in environments approved for use of scuba to do work.
• Surface Supplied Diver – The underwater worker which uses breathing air supplied from a hose from the surface.  He is used in overhead environments.
• Cook – In charge of planning meals, buying, transporting, and preparing food for the crew.
• Machinery Operator – In charge of securing, setting-up, running and maintaining equipment for the project.  He must make sure that equipment is in running order before the project begins.  Equipment will often include compressors and pumps.
• Craftsman – does the carpentry or metal work on the surface to fashion the pieces needed to do the task underwater.
• Quarter Master – Is in charge of assembling equipment for the project.
• Photographer/Documenter - Is in charge of creating the photographic or video record of the project and the before and after documentation of the changes for the historic record.
• Deck Hand/Gopher – Is the worker who shuttles tanks, equipment, materials etc between the work platform and storage or the machinery area.  This position is not necessarily a full time position and is generally a task shared by everyone in his or her off-gassing time.

2004 Repair Tasks

This year's project will be a short focused set of tasks.  We only had a couple of weeks to plan it so keeping it simple was important.  Basically we will have one full work day and a setup and teardown day.  This years tasks will be the following:

1. Re-install the open afterdeck pillars that fell down sometime in the last three years.

2. Move and refasten the aft wall of the upper engine room that shifted to port this year.

3. Stabilize the tables in the dining room.

4. Do a Zebra Mussel video survey of the Windigo Dock and Beaver Is Dock.

5. Stabilize the purser's office wall and mailboxes in the pursers office that have fallen down.

6. Re-assemble the port side grand staircase lower newel post.

7. Fix mooring.  The park mooring block is  upside-down again.  We will right it with our lift bag.