I- Conditions governing sea transfer of cargo from GROUP'Sthat of RUF03.
Thpt rendez-vous shall be effected well off, and out of flight of, the Atlantic Coast of Central America.
That GROUP'S VBSsal SHalL BSAofi, Off-load cargo.and- depart tho rendez-vous unobserved.
That, subsequent to "b" above,and on GROUP'S drders, RUFUS will report to the rendez-vous and on-load cargo,
Ir- Possible methods of cargo transfer under the above conditions.
L. Ship-to Shore. Under this procedure GROUP'S vessel would lay down the cargo on some previously selected beach site and Following this RUFUS, on orders from GROUP, would report to the beach site and on-load cargo.
hlp-to-Shlp. Under this procedure RUFUS would place and anchor his veBaal at the rendez-vous and, taking its crew with, him, withdraw from the areaecond vessal. GROUP'S vessal would then approach, tie-up to the anchored vessal, and transfer all cargo. On conpletion of tne transfer GROUP would depart the area and order RUFUS back to his vessal.
valuation of the two methods.
Communications, which would be viabe the same under both methods.
Handling. Cargo handling under the ship-to-ahipwould be slmpl|er and faster. Personnel chargedhandling report'tbat ship-to-ship operationsonting hours, whereas beachrequire someorking hoursinimum, and would
be restricted to daylight periods. Further, beach operations would require small boats to shuttle cargo to the beach or, if water depths permit, the constructionrovisional pisr. Personnel requirements would be higher,each party,
Control. Operational control sill remainottoUP under both procedures in that GROUP can suspendits discretion. ould be effected mostsiiip-to-siiip operations as it would require only theof mooring lines. Beach operations would requireof small boats and the beach party.
Operational Security. If it is accepted tnat the most sensa-tiva phase oi' the entire operation will be that period when GROUP'S vessal is discharging cargo then it follows that, all other factors being equal, the shorter this period the greater the security. Thus ship-to-snip operations, requiringha time necessary for beach operations, would give the best security. In aduitlon, under isbip -to-ship operations, huTUS* second vessal would be available for picket duty over the horizon.
e. Summary. RUFUS has accepted the factesponsibility for his vessal throughout tne entire operation will remain with him. This includes those two periods when his vessal will be left unattended. Considering the two procedures it Isbetter toessal unattended for two or three hours than toonsiderable tonnage of equipmentunattended on an open beach. This point has no bearing on the greater or leas security for GROUP'S vessal but on the greater or less security for the overall operation.
Ill, Selection and reconnaissance of sites for cargo transfer.
n selecting possible sites for cargo transfer the following reconnaissanoes will be carried out;
reconnaissance by GROUP. This reoonnf-iesance hasA list oi the iites selected is included tnIV of this memorandum.
and/or aerial reconnaissance by RUFOS. An aerialto have in GROUP'S hands areport, includingthis reconnaissance byuly.
reconnaissance by GROUP. This reconnaissance willout upon the satisfactory completion oftheby RUFUS. The purpose of GROUP'S re,connaissfince,personnel training, will be toinal selection principal, First.and. Second, alternate sites.
Z. Value and nations of the reconnaissances.
a. Valuo.
raining and familiarizationOUP personnel.
Provide basic data necessary for thc preparation of an
operational plan.
b. Limitations
he reconnaissances will not provide assurancen the date GROUP'S vessal arrives to carry out the cargo transfer, trie site and/or area will be devoid of other persons or ships.
c. Summary.In light of the above It will be necessary, in the development of an operational order, to provide the commai der of theoperatlon sufficient Mtitude and flexibility to enable him to adjust to local conditions on arrival In the area. The ovar-rldlng requirement, once the operation is set inis that it, the operation, be carried out to completion. Therefore the commander must be authorized, and prepared to, speed-up, change, or delay his schedule as on the spotdictate.
IV.-Sites reconnoitered via map.
ata common to all elites reconnoitered.
Tides throughout -The general area varyo 2 ft.
Currents varynots per hour.
winds. From the East and North-Bast.
f'lshlng Season. From April through July.
Data.
Nautical charts prepared. Hydrographic Offioas.
Text; "Sailing Directions for East Coasts of Centrsl America and. Navy Department, Hydrographic Office.
ite: SBRRANILLA.W
.9
iles N. of Colon,ios,iles SW ofsiles E. of the regular shipping channels.
The Bank, someiles long, consists of aof reefs and cays, thc former varangilesandards in width. Theozenareards in length. They are composedand sand and covered with stunted brush and grass.six to eight feet above the sea levol. There isofr semi-permanent inhabitation thoughto be assumed that fisherman visit theBank during
approaches. Sea approaches from the S. and tl. appearexcellent. The sea bottom la covered with whitebetween the cays rangeards to 1depths throughout are reported to be very good.
None indicated.
Operational value. There are several points throughout the Bank which would:serve excellently for ship-to-ship or beaoh operations. The best of thesea re Beaaon Cay. Middle Cay, and East Cay. For the type of operation contemplated the Bank appears to fulfill every requirement, namely, it isayshipping channels, can be approached an4 entered with safety, its1size would permit ship3to enter* and carry out operations with considerable looal concealment.
Site: SERRANAN. W.
.4
a" Location.iles N. of Colon,iles E. of Caboios, Nicaragua; liesiles E, ofshipping lanes.
b. Description. Tne Bank, someiles in length, consistseries ofnd cays composed of coral and sand. It ia coveredgrass and stunted brushwood. The cayseet above sea leveligh point ofeet. No permanent Inhabitation though visited by fishermen during turtle season. Southwest Cayeacon lighteet high visible atiles.
ea approaches. The beste from the S. and W. but mVst be made with caution as there are coral heads just below the surfaoe. The sea bottom is Covered witii white sand thus making the coral heads readily visible.
d* Ownership. None indicated.
value. Thereo points suitable foroperations; South Cay Channel and. North Channel, bothlead into sheltered lagoons. The reefs and cayslocal concealment though not to the same extentBANK. Itiles closer to Colon thanBANK.
Site; RONCADORN. W.
.4
iles S. of Colon,abezas, Nicaragua;iles K. oflanes.
The Bank,iles in length, consistsand one cay composed of coral and White sand. TheRoncadorards from the northern endBank. It is someeet high without foliage ofIteacon light. SW of the cay and on theare two wnite sandy beaches. No permanentvisited by fisherman during turtle season.
c Sea approaches. From the W. the approaches are good. The bottom is covered with white sand and coral heads are readily visible.
None indicated.
value. The Bank is suitable for ship-to-ship operations. Because theBank consists of one longwould notreat measure of localmajor advantage lies in its olosness to Colonj z
Original document.
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