Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-3, completed the first final evaluation problem (FEP) aboard the civilian vessel, MV Brandon Bordelon, Sept. 24.

The vessel is unique due to its Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) that gives the ability to remain in a specific coordinate without the need of the time-consuming anchoring and mooring process. MDSU Company 2-3's completion of their FEP is the culmination of 2 years of work by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

"While we've been training and certifying Company 2-3, we've also been going back to NAVSEA to help them update parts of the instructions they developed for deployment aboard a vessel equipped with DPS," said Senior Chief Navy Diver Jeffrey Corrie, assigned to MDSU 2 Readiness and Training Department. "It has been a very unique training cycle, and they've done an exceptional job adapting to new situations and getting the job done."

The weeklong exercise was the capstone to Company 2-3's seven-week-long embark aboard Brandon Bordelon. During that time, they conducted salvage, antiterrorism and force protection, and area search dives using SCUBA and surface-supplied diving systems. The training was further augmented by the uniqueness of Brandon Bordelon in comparison to anything the company had ever experienced before.

"This vessel literally changes the way we look at deep-sea diving," said Chief Navy Diver Andy Houle, master diver for Company 2-3. "On a normal salvage ship, we could spend a whole day just dropping anchors and mooring in place, and if we aren't in position we have to repeat the whole process. With the DPS, we can find a spot to dive, lower the divers into the water, and if the spot isn't what we're looking for we can shift positions in a matter of minutes without even bringing the divers back up to the surface. The training has gone really smoothly and it's really opened our eyes in comparison to the old way."

After gaining an understanding of the vessel, Company 2-3 received several simulated missions that mirrored real-world scenarios they might face on future deployments.

"This is my first time going through a MDSU training cycle and it's been a great learning experience," said Navy Diver 2nd Class David Purkey. "Not only have we received a lot of great training, but it has given the company the chance to work together and bond as a team because we never really worked together before we departed Virginia Beach. Now that we're done, I feel a lot more confident in my ability to execute any mission we might receive."

MDSU 2 is the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit and is headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

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