OBJECTIVES OF DAMAGE CONTROL

3.282.4 Figure 7-1.—USS Belknap (CG-26). confidence in the integrity of their ships, all repair party personnel should have confidence in their ability to control all but the most devastating damage. OBJECTIVES OF DAMAGE CONTROL The three basic objectives of shipboard damage control are PREVENTION, MINIMIZATION, and RESTORATION. Prevention means to take all practical preliminary measures, such as maintaining water- tight and fumetight integrity, providing reserve buoyancy and stability, removing fire hazards, and maintaining and distributing emergency equipment before damage occurs. Minimization is to minimize and localize damage by taking measures to control flooding, preserve stability and buoyancy, combat fire, and provide first-aid treatment to injured personnel. Restoration is to accomplish, as quickly as possible, emergency repairs or restorations after the occurrence of damage. Restoration requires measures such as supplying casualty power, regaining a safe margin of stability and buoyancy, replacing essential structures, and manning essential equipment. All members of the ship’s company should realize the importance of their responsibilities. You should think of damage control as an offensive as well as a defensive action upon which your ship’s ability to inflict damage on the enemy may depend. Damage control not only is concerned with battle damage but also nonbattle damage. This includes damage from fire, collision, grounding, weather, and explosion. Damage control action may be necessary in port as well as at sea and may involve the use of personnel and facilities from an undamaged ship. Damage control requires a detailed knowledge of the ship’s construction, characteristics, com- partmentation, and stability, and of apparatus placed on board to prevent or control damage. Basically, control of damage depends upon the ability and the initiative of personnel to take prompt corrective action, using readily available material. Having a thorough knowledge of the ship will enable personnel to take the necessary corrective action. 7-2