The call comes over the 1MC during general quarters, “Missiles inbound, starboard side; all hands brace for shock.” Every Sailor in the hangar bay drops to the deck and gets in position to brace for a simulated missile or torpedo strike. Shortly thereafter, damage control investigators discover a ruptured fire main flooding a compartment at a rate of 10 gallons per minute. Another announcement comes: “Pipe rupture reported in space 1-220-2. Repair 1 Bravo pipe patching team report to space 1-220-2.”

The pipe patching teams aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) play an integral role in maintaining the material condition of the ship during general quarters. Abraham Lincoln is currently conducting Tailored Ship’s Training Ability Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) drills under the supervision of Afloat Training Group (ATG) to test the ship’s operational preparedness.

“It all comes down to training,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Carter, Lincoln’s Damage Control Assistant (DCA). “When an actual casualty occurs and you have to react quickly, you’ll fall back on that training and be prepared when something goes wrong.”

From soft patches to jubilee patches, these Sailors are educated on what materials to use for various types of leaks. The choice of patch must be made promptly to prevent any further damage. It is the job of the pipe patching team leader to make these decisions and assign Sailors to make the repairs. 

Knowing what type of patch to apply and how to apply it correctly comes from hours of meticulous training. During each general quarters training evolution, pipe patching teams around the ship grab their equipment and conduct training to better prepare for possible casualties. They discuss the uses of the different types of patches and simulate the pipe patching process to commit the training to memory.  

“It can be stressful sometimes when we are training, but at the end of the day it is rewarding,” said Yeoman Seaman Kinsley Pruitt, a pipe patching team member aboard Abraham Lincoln. “You have to know what patch to use on what pipe, and when water is leaking through, it can be really difficult to remain calm and focus on the task at hand. However, even when we make mistakes, we always walk away having learned something new to prepare us for the real thing. Our fellow Sailors are there to help in the heat of the moment.”

During a pipe patching evolution, the on-scene leader is sent out with the pipe patching team to the affected space. Once the team arrives on scene, they secure water flow to the damaged pipe by shutting the cut-off valve. A test is conducted to make sure no leaks are present, at which point the pipe is considered operational.

“In a real damage control scenario, the need to have a highly trained and qualified team is incredibly important,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Jordan Bailey, a member of ATG. “In those types of scenarios, tensions are high, it’s loud and you need to be trained well enough to stay calm. Every second counts, so having a well-trained pipe patching team makes such a difference in saving the ship.”

The damage caused by a ruptured pipe could be catastrophic to Abraham Lincoln’s mission. If a pipe bursts in a weapons magazine, the ship could lose millions of dollars in essential ammunition and ordnance. Water or fuel pipes that rupture could also destroy essential electronic equipment. A ruptured fire main cuts down the ship’s ability to fight fires in a scenario where every second counts.

“If a potable water pipe becomes contaminated, we can actually lose our drinking water,” said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Virgilio Maniego, the repair locker 7F leader. “Improperly patched pipes can lead to fuel contamination and cause damage to systems.”

With all of the responsibility riding on this team, it is essential to have Sailors who are well-trained and practice strict procedural compliance and operational risk management. Their mission allows warfare commanders to continue with their strategic mission and adapt to any situation.

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