Sea Stories/comments submitted by former Commanding Officer
Captain Robert Olds (December 1972 - July 1974)

Operation “Hula Hoop”

In early August ‘73 Hass had just started a very much anticipated/needed shipyard availability when orders came down to “button it up ASAP, you’re needed”.  The need was two specially configured Military Sealift Command ships that were “watching” the French nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll 750 miles Southeast of Tahiti. So we soon made a six-day “All ahead full” run to Pago Pago and refueled both ships in port with NSFO (Aug. 6-11), then back to Pearl on 8/17 to continue the shipyard availability.  Three weeks later we received the order to go South again as the French tests had been repeatedly delayed and the MSC ships needed more NSFO.  So Hass headed South again on 9/6 at 19 knots, this time to join the ships on station.  En-route we received word that the USNS Corpus Christi Bay had sought emergency shelter in Papeete, Tahiti to repair hull cracks and we subsequently received diplomatic and other clearance to go in and fuel her there – a wonderful chance for a port visit!   With great anticipation we approached Tahiti only to learn the night before our arrival that Corpus Christi Bay had been repaired (filled the ruptured tank/void with concrete) and left the port -- and our diplomatic clearance to enter was very promptly cancelled.  The French obviously weren’t very happy with the US watching their tests and didn’t want any U.S. ships in their port unless in an emergency.   So, the next morning, we very unhappily watched Tahiti pass by from just outside the three mile limit, and then chased the Corpus Christi Bay out toward the test area.  She made it just in time to “observe” the test and joined up with Hass the next day on what turned out to be a 42 hour UNREP.  She had no alongside UNREP capability so Hass streamed a 2-1/2 inch hose as she maintained station astern of us.  Seven Hass crewmen were heloed over to help secure/operate the rig.  Pumping black oil through the astern rig was a challenge as the old, dry hose would periodically rupture and Hass would retrieve the rig, replace the section, and start over. Beautiful tropical water, with an occasional very small atoll or island passing by.  Hass steamed at bare steerage way (3-5 knots) and in the crystal clear water you could see each blade of the screws come by. At the end, the Master came on the radio with something like “I’m full enough to make San Diego, here comes the rig back, and your crew by helo, thanks, bye!”   And they turned starboard and cranked it up.   Hass and her crew did well on this operation, and in recognition were nominated for a National Defense Transportation Unit Award.  And with four crossings of the Equator we were all Shellbacks.  Back in Pearl 9/24/73.