CHAPTER 18SURFACE PRESERVATIONJust about everyone has been involved in cleaning,preserving, and maintaining something. Painting thefamily home or washing and waxing your car are goodexamples. What you did was to protect a surface fromthe effects of weather or exposure, to extend its lifetime,and to improve its appearance.The U.S. Navy has a far greater problem because allNavy ships operate in a much harsher environment thanyour home or car. Constant exposure to the sea andsaltwater corrosion can quickly turn the exterior of aship into a mass of rust. Interior spaces have theirproblems as well. Constant changes in the weather andin the surrounding water temperature cause moisture,humidity, and chemical reactions that affect electricalsystems and machinery. To overcome these harshconditions, the Navy expends a great deal of time,effort, and money applying surface preservatives. Thesepreservatives range from detergent and fresh water topaint and lubricants. How well these preservatives workdepends on you.CLEANINGLearning Objectives: When you finish this chapter,you will be able to—Recognize the purpose of cleaning andpreserving.Identify the cleaning bill.Recall the purpose of compartment cleaning,sweepers, cleaning process, field day, and zoneinspections.Maintaining clean conditions aboard ship andashore is an important job. Cleaning involves practicallyevery member, from the compartment cleaner to theinspecting officer. Navy life requires each of us to have apersonal interest in our living and working areas, notonly for the sake of appearance but for our health andsafety as well.THE CLEANING BILLEach area of the ship is divided into variousdepartments for upkeep. The Cleaning, Preservation,and Maintenance Bill describes these areas and outlinesthe department that is responsible for them. This bill iscarefully planned to make sure all interior areas andexterior areas of the ship’s hull are assigned to personnelfor upkeep and that no areas overlap or are left out. Eachdivision within the department assigns its personnel tothe spaces it’s responsible for. Division personnel carryout the duties of cleaning, preserving, and maintaining.COMPARTMENT CLEANINGThe term compartment cleaner generally applies topersons assigned to clean living or berthingcompartments or spaces, such as passageways andheads. If you are assigned compartment cleaner duties,you will be responsible for keeping your spaces clean,preserved, and in good order. Newly assigned personnelare closely supervised to make sure they understandwhat to clean and how to clean it. Items, such aselectrical and mechanical devices, might be unfamiliarto you. These types of items are located in almost everyspace aboard ship. With this in mind, caution must beobserved at all times. Ask your supervisor to point outany hazardous items located in your compartment andobserve all special cleaning instructions.Cleaning gear is stocked in and issued from the firstlieutenant’s storeroom. Each division is periodicallyissued cleaning gear and is then responsible for itsproper stowage and care. Because cleaning compoundsand solvents are often flammable or toxic, or both, theymust never be left unattended or improperly stowed.You should always read warning labels and follow theirdirections carefully. Gear, such as brooms and swabs(mops), must be cleaned after each use and placed intheir stowage racks. Gear adrift, such as rags, clothing,or personal gear, must be “policed up” immediately. Ifleft adrift, these items are a tripping or fire hazard—or18-1Summer seas and a good ship—life has nothing better.—Mark Twain
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