Tiger Cruise,  USS John C Stennis,  Feb 19, 2012 - Feb 27, 2012     page 75 / 166

Guns are used to fire small rubber balls from Stennis to Rainier. Lightweight lines are attached to the rubber balls. The forward line is replaced by the flagged rope previously discussed. The other lightweight lines are progressively replaced by heavier ones until cables can be secured which will support the fuel hoses. Quite an impressive operation. Once the lines are in place the bright flags are replaced by a black ball-diamond-ball to indicate fuel transfer has begun.

The cables between ships can also be used to transfer cargo, as well as personnel!