TM   55-3930-660-14 CHAPTER 4 MARINE  TRANSPORT Section   I.   GENERAL 4 - 1 .    G e n e r al The  6K  VRRTFL  is  marine  transportable  aboard most   general-purpose   or   roll-on/roll-off   (RORO) ships.  Most  ships  under  the  Military  Sealift  Com- mand charter have tiedown points such as D-rings or  other  lashing  anchors.  When  suitable  lashing points  are  unavailable,  wood  blocking  becomes necessary.    Marine   loading   restraint   depends   on the expected sea state, ship size, and stow location on  the  ship.  Generally,  the  amount  of  restraint increases for locations high and forward (or aft) in the  ship.  The  most  severe  conditions  occur  on exposed  “weather-decks”  (a  ship’s  crew  may  re- quire  additional  lashing).  Below-deck  locations that  are  closer  to  the  vessel’s  centers  of  gravity and  rotation,  will  experience  less  severe  loading. The  blocking  and  tiedown  procedures  presented (fig  4-1)  allow  for  severe,  below-deck  conditions. (Contact  MTMCTEA  (see  address  in  para  1-3)  for a  pamphlet  on  marine  loading:  MTMCTEA  Pam- phlet  56-1,  Marine   Terminal   Lifting   Guidance.) **CAUTION** Ear  protection  (plugs)  is  needed  when working on RORO ships with loud ventila- tor systems. *NOTE* The  entire  vehicle  must  be  checked  to  be sure that loose items are properly secured. Maximum VRRTFL speed on ship loading ramps or decks is 3 mph or less. Fire  extinguishers  must  be  readily  avail- able  during  ship  loading  and  unloading operations. Section   II.   SHIP   LOADING 4-2.   Preparation Preparation for sealift includes: a. Preservation  as  required  by  TB  9-2320-281- 35 for expected stowage (above or below deck). b. Filling   fuel   tank   between   one-quarter   and three-quarters full for RORO operations *NOTE* Because  of  limited  cargo-hold  ventilation, most general cargo ships will require that the   fuel   tank   be   drained   and   battery disconnected. c. Ensuring  MLRS  pod  lifting  tool  is  properly positioned  in  its  storage  location  on  the  machine. d. Checking  for  fluid  leaks  and  repairing  any defects. e. Ensuring  the  VRRTFL  is  in  good  mechanical order,  with  usable  tiedowns,  operating  engine, brakes, and proper tire pressure. f. Disconnecting  the  ether  canister  used  for  cold engine starting. 4-3.   Loading   Procedures a.  Material.   When   ship’s   lashing   gear   is   un- available, the shipper must supply tiedown materi- als.  The  VRRTFL  is  shown  in  figure  4-1  aligned fore  and  aft  with  the  ship.  The  loading  restraint factors  (LRF)  used  in  figure  4-1  are  listed  in appendix  B.  Table  4-1  is  a  listing  of  such  materi- als. Table 4-1. Bill of Materials for Transport by Ship Item Quantity Description Wire  rope Cable clamps (clips) Thimbles About 80-ft 1/2-in., improved plow steel, 6x19 class, IWRC (independent wire rope core) or wire-strand core, nominal breaking strength 23,000 pounds; Fed  Spec  RR-W-410  NSN 4010-00-272-8848 8 5/8-in., Type I, single-saddle, wire- rope  clamp,  Fed  Spec  FF-C-450 16 1/2-in., Crosby heavy-duty or one that  exceeds  Fed  Spec  FF-C-450 strength   requirements. 8 1/2-in., Type III (Heavy) split oval construction (open pattern); Fed Spec FF-T-276 When  suitable  ship’s  lashing  points  are  unavailable,  blocking becomes  required. Lumber Douglas-fir, or comparable; (nominal Fed  Spec  MM-L-751 sizes) 2 x 6 in. 20 ft* 4 x 6 in. 140 ft* Nails Common, steel, flathead; bright or 16d 1 pound cement-coated;  Fed  Spec  FF-N-105 40d 2 pounds *Linear 4-1