Chapter 6. MARINE AND TERMINAL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-2320-273-14

CHAPTER 6

MARINE AND TERMINAL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

a. Lifting. The correct lifting points on the M915

6-1. Scope

FOV 14- and 20-ton truck tractors are the two shackles

This chapter provides marine and terminal transporta-

on the front bumper and the spring saddle and pin as-

bility guidance for movement of the M915 FOV vehi-

sembly on top of the rear spring assemblies. The bodies

cles. It covers significant technical and physical char-

of these vehicles are reinforced near the spring saddle

acteristics, as well as safety considerations, prescribes

and pin assembly. A rectangular spreader bar, with

blocking materials; and provides guidance required to

steel wire-rope slings attached to front and rear lifting

prepare, lift, tie down, and discharge the vehicles.

eyes to preclude damage to the engine hood and radi-

6-2. Safety

ator (fig 6-1), should be used.

b. Loading. Vehicles are always loaded onto vessels

In addition to the safety precautions contained in

in their minimum configuration, that is, reduced

chapter 3, the following precautions should be taken

height and side view mirrors folded back or removed

as applicable.

to reduce the width of the vehicle. The vehicles can be

a. All vessel equipment and gear should be inspect-

loaded onto landing craft, beach discharge and heavy

ed prior to use.

amphibious lighters, and landing ships under their

b. All stevedore slings and other items used in load-

own power or by cranes of adequate capacity (38 tons

ing and discharge operations should be inspected for

minimum). Also, they can be loaded onto seagoing ves-

condition and adequate capacity.

sels by shoreside or floating cranes or by heavy-lift

c. All personnel should be cautioned not to work un-

ship's gear. Figure 6-2 shows blocking and tiedown de-

der vehicles being lifted.

tails. Tables 6-1 and 6-2 list materials and their appli-

d. All lifts should have two taglines attached to con-

cation for blocking and tiedown.

trol the swing of the vehicle while suspended.

c. Special design. Roll-on/roll-off ships, landing

6-3. General

ships, and attack-cargo ships are equipped with pat-

ented lashing gear and pre-positioned fittings in the

Whenever possible, vehicles should receive the protec-

deck. The use of such equipment is adequate and no

tion of below-deck stowage. In general, good stowage

additional blocking and bracing is required.

of vehicles means having them placed fore and aft as

close together as practical, with about 4 to 6 inches be-

6-4. Barge-Carrier Ships

tween outer vehicles and the sweatboards; breakable

Barge-carrier ships such as lighter aboard ships

parts are protected; spare parts are stowed in or near

(LASH) and sea barges (SEABEE) can be used to trans-

the parent vehicle; brakes are on and brake lever is

port the M915 FOV. If the LASH ship is used, the ex-

wire-tied; transmission is in neutral with control lever

haust pipe must be removed and the hatch covers must

wired-tied; battery terminals are disconnected and

be in place. The SEABEE can transport all M915 FOV

taped; and fuel tank is drained. To secure the vehicles,

in their fully operational configuration, When these

the wheels should be blocked in front, in rear, and on

vehicles are moved a great distance over rough water,

both sides; also, the vehicles should be lashed with

they must be blocked and braced.

wire rope to chains to bulkhead, stanchions, or pad-

eyes.

6-5. Lighterage

NOTES

The M915 FOV can be transported by lighterage ves-

1. When trucks are loaded on vessels that are

sels. These vessels are normally used to support logis-

adequately ventilated by power blowers, such

as roll-on/roll-off vessels, gasoline tanks need

tics-over-the-shore operations (LOTS), The vehicles can

not be drained.

b e transported on the following types of light-

2. The methods described in this chapter for

ers: LARC-LX amphibian, landing craft mechanized

lifting and securing vehicles are suggested

(LCM-8), landing craft utility (LCU 1466-1646), and

procedures. Other methods of handling and

the beach discharge lighter (BDL-MR1). If these vehi-

stowage may be used provided they will en-

cles are moved a long distance in rough waters, they

sure safe delivery without damage.

must be blocked and braced.

6-1