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Last summer I thought the Navy should get some giant air pumps and oxygenate the water, to help the bacteria with their cleanup operation. The Navy has "portable" nuclear power plants, which is why I thought they'd be good for the task.

But I'm not a celebrity with a skimmer to sell, so they didn't ask me. Oh well.

If the US Government is going to build 12 submarines anyways, I think they should be multi-purpose.

A powerplant that can quickly go anywhere in the world could be really useful. I imagined using the navy's nuclear reactors to power bubblers to help the bacteria break down oil in the Gulf of Mexico. The catchy title was To Save the Gulf, Send the Enterprise.

Now the Enterprise isn't outfitted with bubblers, or much else besides the equipment needed for its usual duties of launching airplanes to dogfight with Soviets and bomb stuff, so the proposal wasn't exactly feasible. But some guys at the Naval Research Institute said the idea had merit. Selected comment from the link is blockquoted below...

If the Government is going to spend a billion dollars on new submarines to fight the soviet menace, at the very least they could design in features that would be useful for disaster response... I imagine steam vents that could be attached to external electrical generators, or bubble generators.

Because we don't know when or where the next offshore oil rig is going to blow out...

I think the idea of a large aviation-capable logistics support / humanitarian assistance ship has merit, but do not believe CVN 65 would be the solution, for the reasons stated above, as well as the need to consider that we do not need to spend money on reactor-trained personnel and the Nuclear Propulsion Program overhead unless that capability is truly needed for war-fighting reasons. For this application, I don’t think it is.

If we are going to do this, it probably should be new construction. Such a ship needs, off the top of my head, command facilities, aviation capabilities, a well-deck (to load boats with both supplies *and* with trucks to deliver those supplies in disaster areas), a hospital, and a large storage capability for supplies. The Wasp-class has all this to some extent, so with some rejiggering an addition to that class may be prudent. The America class also has potential, though the well-deck is a really nice-to-have item for disasters (where port facilities may not be in existence and landing supplies across the beach is needed).

If we think the ship during peacetime would be too big to be out there just waiting for the need for a Japan/Indonesia-type rescue capability, just put some oceanography gear on it and map the bottom when it has nothing else to do, so we don’t have another submarine run into a uncharted seamount. I joke, but not overly much. There is potential there. With the well-deck it can also serve as mothership for small PT-type boats for piracy patrols/engagement. It would still perhaps be considered too big, so maybe increased scope for education and scientific research things are also players–as well as helping friendly nations enforce and study their EEZs. Add the Seabees, and we have something else it can do–build things in Africa or Asia or South America as it shows the flag. All these items have been mentioned in the previous post on the subject.

There is no doubt in my mind the ship could be a potent item of statecraft. Especially if we have more than one so that we have a steadily reoccurring presence in South America, Asia, and Africa. Though we may want to rethink the size again. And maybe one would be better, so it was seen as a genuine effort and not “imperialist propaganda”. But then disaster response time becomes an issue. All these are trade items.

In wartime it could serve as a fleet command ship to replace existing units when they decommission, as an aviation-capable escort for the fleet logistics train (in the tradition of CVEs), as an ASW platform, as a logistics ship capable of long range VERTREPs, as well as whatever capabilities it can bring as a dedicated amphibious assault ship augmenting the capabilities of the ARGs (or whatever they are called now). The only debate would be ab

Last summer, when the oil geyser had been flowing uninhibited for over two months, I posted here about my idea for using the US Navy's portable nuclear reactors to power air pumps that would oxygenate ocean waters affected by the spill. The oxygen would feed the bacteria already present in the water that happily consume seeped oil.

The slick on the surface isn't "the tragedy" of these oil spills. Most of the tragedy is below the surface, where TV cameras and congressmembers won't see it.

One of the visitors said that it'd be difficult to pump air to the depths of the ocean, and suggested pumping oxygenated surface water instead. I took that and other feedback to write a short followup piece on Cleaning up the Gulf of Mexico.

I welcome anything good at cleaning up our messes. Especially a device this open and energy efficient. But let's not pretend that cleaning up the surface could possibly "prevent the tragedy". By the time this thing is out there cleaning up, most of the tragedy has already gone down.

While this thing might be okay for little oil spills, like the one from a few weeks ago, effectively responding to future underwater blowouts will require massive infrastructure and power. Like what could be stored on, delivered and powered by a retired nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

I just want the politicians to order the Navy to get some guys thinking about the idea: When Disaster Strikes, Send the Enterprise. Or maybe I'll write the Japanese embassy to suggest that they offer to buy the Enterprise, thereby saving the US Navy $millions in decommissioning costs. They have the infrastructure to refuel it, if required, and the motivation to dedicate it to disaster response.

Right now the only viable replacement for nuclear power is coal.

Global Resource Corporation [GRC] has a neat technology that uses specific microwave frequencies to release liquid (diesel) & gaseous (propane/butane) hydrocarbons from solids like used tires, plastics, and coal.

But they haven't managed their company right (or they ran out of money), and haven't gotten past the prototype stage. Perhaps they're going to fold, or maybe Exxon-Mobil will buy up the patents to kill the technology. Or maybe GRC was infiltrated by big oil. Who knows.

There are energy options that are better than nuclear, they're just not profitable for the financiers & utility barons. Raphial Morgado says in one of the YouTube videos (one of these: SJSU demonstration) that his "Mighty Pump" is disruptive technology, because it makes every internal combustion engine everywhere obsolete. Nothing's safe with disruptive technology: every turbine, and every water pump is now obsolete too, and whatever will JP Morgan do when all those utility companies start defaulting on their loans (when their power infrastructure, bought on time, becomes unprofitable because of Mr. Morgado's pump)?

(Plug: I mentioned the Mighty Pump in my recent post that advocates having dedicated disaster response ships)

When Disaster Strikes, Send the Enterprise.

Ye gods is that site full of errors and ignorance, the author of which knows roughly nothing about supercarriers...
 
I'm off to post it on sci.military.naval - where the experts will have a field day. After they stop laughing.

If the USS Ronald Reagan had a couple Mighty Pumps in its inventory, these could be attached to the catapult steam lines. An electrical generator could be attached to the pump's drive shaft, generating power. Then they'd just run a cable to the shore to power the cities affected by the disaster.

The USS Enterprise has 310 megawatts of thermal power. I don't know how much of this could be sent to the catapult lines... Nimitz-class carriers have 2 reactors instead of 8, and generate ~190 MW of thermal power.

There is some historical legacy for using an aircraft carrier to power a city:

... Each of Lexington’s four electrical generators could produce 35,200 kilowatts. All together, the generators were powerful enough to fulfill the electricity requirements of a decent sized city. And, for 30 days that is exactly what she did. ...

-When USS Lexington Powered A City

Lots of people have found my site this week (/. post on Sunday, google, etc), and the link about the MYT engine was one of the more-commonly followed links. This page has better information about the MYT pump/engine:

The MYT [Massive Yet Tiny] Engine as a pump/compressor purportedly exceeds existing pumps/compressors in providing massive pressure, volume, and flow -- all in one unit. This attribute makes it ideal for geothermal energy, among many other such applications.

-Angel Labs eyes geothermal for MYT Engine application

When Disaster Strikes, Send the Enterprise. I just did my first newspaper interview this morning. :)

If the USS Ronald Reagan had a couple Mighty Pumps in its inventory, these could be attached to the catapult steam lines. An electrical generator could be attached to the pump's drive shaft, generating power. Then they'd just run a cable to the shore to power the cities affected by the disaster.

The USS Enterprise has 310 megawatts of thermal power. I don't know how much of this could be sent to the catapult lines... Nimitz-class carriers have 2 reactors instead of 8, and generate ~190 MW of thermal power.

There is some historical legacy for using an aircraft carrier to power a city:

... Each of Lexington’s four electrical generators could produce 35,200 kilowatts. All together, the generators were powerful enough to fulfill the electricity requirements of a decent sized city. And, for 30 days that is exactly what she did. ...

-When USS Lexington Powered A City

Lots of people have found my site this week (/. post on Sunday, google, etc), and the link about the MYT engine was one of the more-commonly followed links. This page has better information about the MYT pump/engine:

The MYT [Massive Yet Tiny] Engine as a pump/compressor purportedly exceeds existing pumps/compressors in providing massive pressure, volume, and flow -- all in one unit. This attribute makes it ideal for geothermal energy, among many other such applications.

-Angel Labs eyes geothermal for MYT Engine application

When Disaster Strikes, Send the Enterprise. I just did my first newspaper interview this morning. :)

... They need food, water, and supplies delivered to areas suddenly unreachable through normal means. They need crews to rip apart buildings to rescue those trapped inside.

What rescuers really need are tools, like helicopters, ships to launch them from, water purification equipment, etc.

... Right now, helicopters are needed most. With roads, airports, and ports washed away or clogged with debris, the only way to reach many of the affected areas is by helicopter. Yet Japan now has barely 100 military helicopters engaged in relief efforts. The United States should start sending all of its heavy-lift helicopters in Japan and South Korea to northern Japan. Similarly, the Air Force should dramatically ramp up the number of C-17s bringing in supplies to Misawa Air Base, so that supplies are on the ground when transportation to affected areas can be undertaken. ...

-Japan Needs Its Own Berlin Airlift (March 15th, emphasis added)

The U.S. Navy has sent the USS Ronald Reagan and other "helicopter capable" ships. But the Ronald Reagan only has a couple small helicopters... Amphibious assault ships are designed for helicopters & V-22 Ospreys.. And the Tortuga can service two helicopters itself:

... The USS Tortuga embarked landing craft units and departed Sasebo Friday evening, he added. The ship is headed toward Pohang, South Korea, where it will pick up MH-53 heavy lift helicopters.

âoeWe have directed most helicopter capable ships to be ready to sail within 24 hours,â Davis said. ...

-U.S. military directing assets toward Japan relief efforts

The USS Tortuga was in Japan, but had to go to South Korea to pick up a pair of helicopters first. Like all the other relief efforts in recent memory, this one is being thrown together too.

If the re-purposed USS Enterprise had been in Hawaii (pre-loaded with disaster supplies and heavy-lift helicopters), it could have arrived by ... yesterday, probably.

When I was still formulating my proposal, Win Wenger suggested that there should actually be three disaster-response ships: one in Hawaii, one in Australian, and one in the Atlantic somewhere. How far is the boat ride from Australia to Japan? At least two responders from the last time I posted this suggested retired amphibious assault ships might be more appropriate than the Enterprise (due to the expense?). We can use those too.

When Disaster Strikes, Send The Enterprise. It's a good idea, and everyone knows it. :)

... They need food, water, and supplies delivered to areas suddenly unreachable through normal means. They need crews to rip apart buildings to rescue those trapped inside.

What rescuers really need are tools, like helicopters, ships to launch them from, water purification equipment, etc.

... Right now, helicopters are needed most. With roads, airports, and ports washed away or clogged with debris, the only way to reach many of the affected areas is by helicopter. Yet Japan now has barely 100 military helicopters engaged in relief efforts. The United States should start sending all of its heavy-lift helicopters in Japan and South Korea to northern Japan. Similarly, the Air Force should dramatically ramp up the number of C-17s bringing in supplies to Misawa Air Base, so that supplies are on the ground when transportation to affected areas can be undertaken. ...

-Japan Needs Its Own Berlin Airlift (March 15th, emphasis added)

The U.S. Navy has sent the USS Ronald Reagan and other "helicopter capable" ships. But the Ronald Reagan only has a couple small helicopters... Amphibious assault ships are designed for helicopters & V-22 Ospreys.. And the Tortuga can service two helicopters itself:

... The USS Tortuga embarked landing craft units and departed Sasebo Friday evening, he added. The ship is headed toward Pohang, South Korea, where it will pick up MH-53 heavy lift helicopters.

âoeWe have directed most helicopter capable ships to be ready to sail within 24 hours,â Davis said. ...

-U.S. military directing assets toward Japan relief efforts

The USS Tortuga was in Japan, but had to go to South Korea to pick up a pair of helicopters first. Like all the other relief efforts in recent memory, this one is being thrown together too.

If the re-purposed USS Enterprise had been in Hawaii (pre-loaded with disaster supplies and heavy-lift helicopters), it could have arrived by ... yesterday, probably.

When I was still formulating my proposal, Win Wenger suggested that there should actually be three disaster-response ships: one in Hawaii, one in Australian, and one in the Atlantic somewhere. How far is the boat ride from Australia to Japan? At least two responders from the last time I posted this suggested retired amphibious assault ships might be more appropriate than the Enterprise (due to the expense?). We can use those too.

When Disaster Strikes, Send The Enterprise. It's a good idea, and everyone knows it. :)

The US Navy's aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships are an important part of relief efforts because they're mobile helicopter launching platforms. In a disaster, helicopters (and V-22 Ospreys) are the only good way to get around.

When President Obama said something in response to the earthquake, the first thing he said was that aircraft carriers were on their way:

“We currently have an aircraft carrier in Japan and another is on its way,” he said at the news conference. “We also have a ship en route to the Marianas Islands to assist as needed.”
...

On his Twitter feed this morning, Noriyuki Shikata, deputy cabinet secretary for public relations and director of global communications at the Japanese prime minister's office, said the Japanese government requested U.S. forces in Japan to support efforts to rescue people and to provide oil and medical aid via the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, adding his thanks to the U.S. government.

-http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63136

Here's a report from today on defense.gov:

... The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is now off the coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu and the USS Tortuga is expected to arrive today.

According to reports, the Reagan is serving as place for Japanese helicopters to land and refuel. There are two escort ships with the Reagan and four more destroyers on the way to conduct search and rescue, according to reports.

The Tortuga is loaded with two heavy lift MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters. The USS Essex, an amphibious ship carrying a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is still a couple days away.

The USS Blue Ridge, a command ship loaded with relief supplies, has left Singapore but it will get to Japan after Essex.

-U.S. Forces Provide Relief Aid to Japan (wikipedia links added by me)

The Navy just spent $662-million renovating the USS Enterprise. They're going to "throw it away" in 2 years, because it's an expensive ship to operate. I propose dedicating this ship to disaster relief. They can keep it in Hawaii, remove the fighter jets, and load it with heavy lift helicopters and everything that could possibly be needed in any type of disaster. Japan needs a lot of tents right now, but there probably aren't many in the Ronald Reagan's inventory.

This is an evolution of my posts here last summer, "To Save the Gulf, Send the Enterprise" - thank you all for visiting, the feedback, and the +1's. :)

When Disaster Strikes, Send the Enterprise. Or at least do a proper study, before throwing the ship away.