The task was however so extensive and resource demanding that the command ship THETIS had to request assistance from nearby ships. The ship’s own crew was busy fighting other damages aboard.

Help came from the British ship HMS CORNWALL. Despite high waves and strong winds the crew imediately put a rubber dinghy in the water with four firemen equipped with smoke helmets (‘smoke divers’) and two medical assistants on board. They set their course directly towards THETIS, that really needed the assistance.

Smoke was gushing out of the ships stern, where the so-called paint shop was on fire. The paint shop contains – as the name indicates – the ship’s supplies of painting materials. “At the same time the ship had a leak, that we needed assistance for. Water was pouring into the tiller,” says maintenance officer, Lieutenant Commander Jakob Sand Pedersen. Therefore HMS CORNWALL was again requested to provide assistance and the answer came promptly: “Yes.”

“Using their helicopter they brought an on site emergency commander with assistant over to us. At the same time they made preparations for sending us another rubber dinghy with emergency equipment. Because of time pressure this part of the exercise was however cancelled. I experienced a professional effort from the British. The fire was quickly extinguished. The smoke divers knew their job,” says Jakob Sand Pedersen.

The damage control exercise was one of the first tasks for THETIS during DANEX 06. Ahead lie many exiting and demanding tasks. They include e.g. air defence, firing of the ships main gun and small arms, control of shipping, formation sailing and escort tasks.

Text: Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG