TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
b. Equipment Requirements. The type and quantity of handling equipment required for loading is determined daily
for each ship by cargo operations or cargo planning personnel, based on local terminology at the activity. In either case,
the groups are qualified to schedule, dispatch, and control ship-loading operations. After loading is begun, a running
account of the progress of loading is provided to the above-referenced personnel to permit quick-reaction changes to be
made in case of switched cargo or delayed receipt of cargo by the loading activity. Changes, however, must be
approved by the same Coast Guard agent who approved the loading permit.
c. Personnel Requirements. Military ammunition shiploading activities generally use either contract labor or Civil
Service loading forces in their daily operations. The organization and position re TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
sponsibilities of each system are similar but require separate consideration for clarity, as follows: (1) Typical contract
labor loadingforce. A civilian stevedore contractor is employed to provide the labor force necessary to load, discharge,
handle, and secure explosives aboard ship. The contractor employs a working staff and employs longshoremen,
carpenters, and checkers from union locals. Cargo documentation, cargo planning, and stevedore supervision are
accomplished by both military and Civil Service personnel. A typical contract labor loading force is shown in figure 3-5.
The function and size of contract longshoreman gangs vary with the loading or discharge activity, but generally 75 to 100
longshoremen (three to four gangs) are required for each ship being worked. Each gang generally consists of 16
longshoremen, seven carpenters, one checker, and one outside life operator.
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