The Submariner’s Qualification is based upon the original qualification exam of 1945. This exam is in all actuality, more detailed and more extensive than the original. The reason for this is that we as an organization must be above reproach and prove our knowledge to the veterans who earned the insignia in actual service should they question our merits. To more easily differentiate the higher standards of the qualification process, the original portions of the qualification work are in black while the BLHA additions are in red. All answers will reflect the boat in its 1945 configuration with the exception of questions referring to the Ship’s Orders, Department Orders, and Ship’s Organization which will reflect current standing orders and organization.
I Basic WOrk: A. Notebook: 1. Date keel laid. 2. Date of commission. 3. Length (to the nearest 1/16”), beam, draft, diameter of pressure hull in double hull section, displacement. 4. Total surface displacement at Condition N. 5. Height from keel with No. 1 periscope raised (it’s current position). 6. Names of compartments and location of bulkheads. 7. Tanks inside and outside the pressure hull, with test pressure and capacity of each. 8. Total capacity of: a. Normal fuel tanks. b. Fuel ballast tanks. c. Main ballast tanks. d. Variable ballast tanks. e. Fresh water tanks. f. Battery water tanks. g. Lubricating oil tanks. 9. Location and general features of torpedo tubes. 10. Location and number of torpedoes. 11. Number and size of guns, including small arms. 12. Number and rating of main and auxiliary engines and generators and main motors. 13. Number of cells in batteries. 14. Location and number of: A. Fire extinguishers. b. Lungs. C. Rescue breathing apparatus. D. Life jackets and belts. E. CO2 absorbent. F. Emergency ration lockers. g. Emergency ration locker contents. H. Emergency fresh water tanks. I. Depth charge tools. J. Depth charge flashlights. K. Emergency lanterns. 15. Location of switches for General Alarm, Collision Alarm, Diving Alarm. 16. Location of transmitters and speakers for 1MC system and use of system. 17. Location of transmitters and speakers for fire control loudspeaker system and use of system. 18. Precautions to be taken in handling fuel and explosives. 19. Discharge of Air Purification and Escape procedures.
B. Sketches: 1. Outline of hull, showing arrangement of compartments and tanks. 2. Trimming system, including cross-connections to drainage system. 3. Drainage system. 4. 3000 lb. air system. 5. 225 lb. air system. 6. 600 lb. air system. 7. Battery and hull ventilation system and engine air induction. 8. Location of main and auxiliary engines, main motors, reduction gears, and propeller shafts. 9. No. 3A and B Fuel Ballast Tanks, showing master vent, emergency vents, inboard vents, fuel oil filling and transfer connections, 10 lb. blow, 600 lb blow, and flood valves. 10. Fresh water system (Fresh Water Filling and Transfer). 11. No. 2 sanitary tank, showing drainage connections and blowing and venting connections. 12. Fuel Oil filling and transfer system. 13. Compensating water system. 14. Lube oil filling and transfer system. 15. Compensating water system. 16. Sanitary system with blowing arrangement to No. 2 sanitary tank. 17. Battery water system. 18. Schematic diagram of auxiliary power distribution. 19. Hydraulic plant including manifolds and connections thereto. 20. Bow plane tilting hydraulic system. 21. Stern plane tilting hydraulic system. 22. Steering hydraulic system.
II Special Notebooks for Specific ratings
III Oral Examination: A. After completion of the required notebook work, and when recommended by a chief petty officer, each man will be taken through the boat by a qualified officer. He may expect questions of any or all of the following subjects and the Executive Officer will have the final say on any man’s qualification.
B. Qualification questions may include: 1. Trimming system. 2. Drainage system. 3. 3000 lb. air system. 4. 225 lb. air system. 5. 600 lb. blow system. 6. 10 lb. blow system. 7. Bow and stern plane system. 8. Steering system. 9. Hydraulic system, including emergency operation of steering system, bow and stern planes, and windless and capstan. 10. Hull ventilation system. 11. Battery ventilation system. 12. Fresh water system. 13. Fathometer. 14. Sound equipment. 15. Signal gun. 16. 20mm gun, pistol and rifle. 17. Battery ventilation blowers. 18 Washing machine. 19. Trim and drain pump. 20. Low pressure blower. 21. Rig all compartments for diving (use of checkoff list permitted). 22. Operate bow and stern planes (as system is not operational, a detailed description may suffice). 23. Read angles on bow and stern planes and rudders in torpedo rooms. 24. Use telephones and ringing selectors properly. 25. Blow sanitary tanks and heads (non-operational demonstration). 26. Flood magazine. 27. Check master gyro with repeaters, auxiliary gyro, and magnetic compasses (non-operational demonstration). 28. Raise and lower pitometer log rodmeter and operate sea valves (non-operational demonstration). 29. Raise and lower sound heads and operate sea valves (non-operational demonstration). 30. Kill electric power to any compartment and to entire ship from battery or shore. 31. Cut in air to whistle (non-operational demonstration). 32. Operate drum-type motor controllers. 33. Know emergency bills for all compartments. 34. Know escape procedure from escape trunk and from after torpedo room and demonstrate use of lung. 35. Know location of emergency light switches, compartment air salvage valves emergency ration lockers, emergency fresh water tanks, lung and life jacket stowages. 36. Know location and normal settings of readings of all items on below decks check-off lists. 37. Know location and normal readings on battery blower motor panel and hydrogen detectors. 38. Have an understanding of battery ventilation requirements during charge and discharge. 39. Know location of all main and variable ballast tanks, fuel ballast tanks, normal fuel oil tanks, reserve lube oil tanks, fresh water tanks, and sanitary tanks. 40. Know the number and size of all guns aboard, including small arms. 41. Know the precautions to be taken in handling ammunition and explosives and in fueling ship. 42. Know methods of air purification submerged. 43. Know how to use CO2 fire extinguishers. 44. CO2 detector. 45. Rescue breathing apparatus. 46. Be able to operate anchor gear, windlass, and capstan. Be qualified as a helmsman. 47. Be able to operate sound gear, including starting and securing. 48. Be able to prepare a torpedo tube for firing. 49. Know procedure for hoisting and lowering torpedoes. 50. Know location and number of impulse tanks, poppet valves, and poppet valve stops. 51. Have a thorough knowledge of Ship’s Organization, Ship’s Orders, and Department Orders.
IV. Written Examination: The Written Examination is a check on the aspects of systems not contained in the original qualification process. As the Batfish is now a museum ship, those wishing to qualify must be able to relay information which was not considered relevant in the original process. In addition, qualified crew members must be able to explain the complex systems in layman terms to ensure that the visiting public understands how systems work. This can be challenging and trying. Many of these questions come from questions which have arisen on tours over the years.