Underway replenishment, also known as UNREP, was the standard method of transferring
supplies to the Market Time Patrol units off the coast of Vietnam. Fleet oilers, ammunition
supply and general stores ships routinely steamed down the coast of Vietnam from Yankee
 Station in the Gulf of Tonkin supplying fuel oil, fresh water, ammunition, dry goods,
refrigerated foods, equipment, spare parts, mail and personnel.

The supplying ship holds a steady course and speed, generally around 12 knots. The receiving
ship then comes alongside the supplier at a distance of approximately 30 yards. A shot line is
fired from a gun which is used to pull across a messenger line. The messenger line is then
used to pull across transfer lines, such as a phone line, transfer rig lines and refueling hoses.

UNREPs were filled with the possibility of ship collisions. Two or three ships running side-by-side
must hold precisely the same course and speed for long periods of time.  In the case of an
emergency the ships would initiate emergency breakaway procedures, where all lines are
immediately tripped or cut and the opportunity to replenish is lost.

Rendezvous with the oiler USS Tolovana AO-64 12 miles off the coast of South Vietnam

USS Mattaponi AO-41 refueling a destroyer to port as the Implicit moves in for refueling and mail

From the bridge our Commanding Officer, LCDR George J. Carver (Jun 1966 - Sep 1968),
brings the Implicit alongside the oiler

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