Assembly
Assembling an AT-095 Deep Ocean Transponder for launch. Stacked on the main deck on pallets, along the No. 4 Hold cover, are square steel plates used as anchors for the transponders. Six of them were bolted together, weighing 380 lbs, to make an anchor. The "Anchor Party" was a once-per-cruise All-Hands evolution.
Ron
Me, the photog.
Ready for Launch
he two MSTS crane operators are visible in center frame, standing on the 02 Level at the crane controls. Both cargo booms are operated together to launch (and recover) transponders.
Raising the Transponder
Just visible on the left, on the 02 Level, is the Master of Bowditch.
Raising the Transponder
Lowering it Over the Side
Lowering it Into the Sea
Ready to Release
He will wait until Survey Control, located on the starboard side of the 04 Level, aft of the bridge, reports that the transponder is responding to interrogation by the ASPS-III shipboard equipment.