An example of unnecessary, arcane requirements placed upon surface ships that no one questions (to include HSM who supports). Sort of like the requirement to have an SGSI to get a night flight deck cert despite the fact that the entire free world lands with NVGs at night. Thankfully, the SGSI requirement should be going away.
Problem is with ATG and NAVAIR that determine what is required for a ship to operate. This should not be a requirement. The sad thing about this picture is that the sailors on the flight deck will move from this worthless evolution to a DC event to watch and hopefully bag something more than a few minutes of sleep.
Why we are accepting the risk of low, extended flight in salt spray to prove we can execute an antiquated fueling procedure is beyond me.