DKB and CME crossing the line heading South. Article by S Lt Khasuli Photos by LS Venter

The past week was no different to last week as things are still frantic onboard the DKB. Flying Operations are conducted almost on a daily basis; upperdeck maintenance and internal drills (firex, flooding and Liferafts stations) are in full swing.

What made things even more hectic during the past week were the preparations heading to crossing of the line ceremony. It was an unforgettable experience to be part of the Landlubbers that crossed the Equator when the DKB was heading north. This time round, the Seafarers, with great anticipation, were looking forward to bending those who have not crossed before. Some of the crewmembers of CME flew to Germany last year to start with the submarine training, they are currently onboard the Sub on the passage to SA.

SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE

On CME, 28 submariners were neofidos and the Naval tradition of neofidos crossing the line had to be performed. Initially, the plan was to transfer all the neofidos to DKB for crossing of the line ceremony but after thoughtful analysis it was decided that all the Neofidos would be charged onboard CME.

The preparations for the crossing of the line ceremony onboard CME were in full swing. Onboard DKB the situation was similar due to the arrival of Neofido Lamb chop. Neofido Lamb chop is the CME storekeeper and boarded the DKB while in Germany for the passage to SA. The estimated time for crossing the equator was Friday 13 Apr 11:09B.

Both vessels crossed the line at 11:09B and directly after that the final ceremony kicked off. Neofido Lamb chop was transferred to CME by stingray to join other landlubbers. The final ceremony lasted for about two hours and on completion PO Lambert was transferred back to DKB.

Air Force detachments conducted successful vertreps (vertical replenishment) with the sub and continued with flying operations whilst at the same time providing a perfect platform for the practical phase of the Flight Deck LO. The LO lasted for two weeks and all the learners were found to be competent. Out of the 11, 9 were Flight Deck Handlers, one Flight Deck Controller (CPO Bright) and one Flight Deck Officer (S Lt Lakay).

On Saturday 14 Apr both vessels were passing Gabon. The distance that they have covered thus far from Rota, Spain, is 2 810 Nm with 2 543 Nm remaining.

Currently, the morale onboard both vessels is extremely high due to the vessels being in the Southern Hemisphere. The count down to SMST has started. DKB is expected to be alongside towards the end of April and will arrive slightly earlier than CME in order to offload cargo.