By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dmitry Chepusov, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
Posted: February 28, 2009

USS JOHN C. STENNIS – Pacific Ocean – While USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) approached Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, the ship faced the task of bridging the communication gap between it and local fishing boats as it maneuvered to its anchorage spot.
 

HONG KONG (Feb. 17, 2009) Storekeeper 2nd Class Grace Wu listens to radio traffic while translating the Cantonese language for the bridge crew as USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pulls into Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Feb. 17. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dmitry Chepusov/ Released)

Storekeeper 2nd Class Grace Wu, a native Cantonese and Mandarin speaker, volunteered to act as a translator between Stennis’ bridge crew and surrounding vessels during the maneuvering evolution.

Wu was born in Guang Dong, China, which is approximately an hour north of Hong Kong. She and her family left China five years ago.

“From my experience on past deployments, there hasn’t been a translator on the bridge,” said Lt. j.g. Chad Dulac, the communications officer while Stennis was anchoring.

Wu’s familiarity with the languages did not ease her anxiety about working on the bridge.

“When I decided I was going to translate on the bridge, I became very nervous,” said Wu. “But later an officer showed me the bridge, and now I feel more comfortable there.”

When Wu entered the bridge at 5 a.m. to work as a translator, the space was dark, but alive with crew member voices, dimly lit screens and the sounds of local fishermen talking and some even singing over the radio in Cantonese.

This was an unfamiliar environment for Wu, who works with the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 but is temporarily assigned to the aviation supply division aboard Stennis.

“Petty Officer Wu was of great help, not only for piece of mind, but also for communicating with multiple vessels,” said Dulac.

He said Wu was asked to contact the harbor pilot’s ship to verify it was en route and the estimated time of arrival. She also helped the pilot communicate with the bridge crew when he came aboard.

“Wu was able to quickly translate the requested hails into Cantonese or Mandarin to assist the bridge team,” said Dulac.

Lt. Jeremy Hesselroth, who worked with Wu and Dulac, was the junior officer of the deck at the time. “Wu was extremely helpful and a great asset to the bridge team,” he said. “She added a critical piece to the situational awareness puzzle.”