cognizant  fleet  or  force  commander,  the  cogni- zant  naval  activity  or  funeral  director  should ensure  that  casketed  remains  are  consigned to  ships  in  accordance  with  NAVPERS  15555, Article  2-5.  It  is  the  responsibility  of  the cognizant   Naval   Regional   Medical   Center (NRMC)  to  ensure  that  the  casketed  remains are  properly  prepared  in  a  metal  casket.  The Naval  Regional  Medical  Center  should  certify to  the  OOD  prior  to  acceptance  of  casketed remains   that   a   minimum   of   six   2-inch   holes have   been   drilled   into   the   base   and   lid   of the  casket  to  ensure  the  rapid  entry  of  sea water.  In  the  event  the  remains  are  encased  in an  innerseal  casket,  the  Naval  Regional  Medi- cal   Center   should   also   certify   that   the   inner plate  has  been  removed  or  sufficiently  loosened to   permit   the   rapid   flooding   of   the   casket. Additional weight may have to be placed within the casket by the NRMC or the funeral director prior  to  being  transported  to  the  ship  in  order to   offset   the   natural   buoyancy   of   the   casket and  to  permit  the  casket  to  sink.  The  officer of  the  deck  should  determine  whether  the  cas- ket  has  been  properly  certified  by  the  cogni- zant Naval Regional Medical Center prior to its acceptance  and  receipt  on  board  for  the  burial at  sea  service.  If,  at  the  time  of  the  burial at  sea  service,  the  casketed  remains  do  not submerge upon impact with the water, the com- manding  officer  of  the  vessel,  while  maintain- ing  the  dignity  of  the  ceremony,  shall  take necessary  measures  to  ensure  its  submersion. The casket should be retrieved and proper steps taken  to  ensure  that  it  will  submerge,  then returned   to   the   sea.   Under   no   circumstances will  gunfire  be  used  to  cause  the  casket  to  sub- merge. In  order  to  properly  support  and  assist  the chaplain   in   the   preparation   for   the   religious rites  and  military  ceremonies  to  be  performed, the RP should be familiar with the preparations that  are  necessary  for  a  burial  at  sea;  namely, the  proper  manner  in  which  the  casket  should be   handled   upon   receipt   at   the   pier   and aboard  ship,  the  necessary  preparations  for the  burial  at  sea  ceremony,  the  proper  conduct of  the  ceremony  itself,  and  the  person  or persons   responsible   for   each   of   these   func- tions. Documents  Required The  following  papers  are  presented  to  the officer  of  the  deck  of  the  vessel  before  the remains are taken into his custody: a.   The   signed   request   and   authorization from  the  person  authorized  to  direct  disposition of the remains. b. A transit permit or burial permit issued by responsible   civil   authorities   at   the   place   of death, whether or not the remains are cremated. An appropriate entry regarding the presenta- tion  of  such  papers,  together  with  specific identifying data regarding them are made in the ship’s  log.  After  the  burial,  these  papers  are appropriately  endorsed  by  the  ship’s  command- ing  officer  as  to  the  fact  of  burial  and  for- warded  to  BUMED  or  the  Commandant  of  the Marine  Corps  (CMC)  as  appropriate. Administrative  tasks  such  as  these  are  nor- mally   carried   out   or   delegated   by   the   ship’s executive  officer. RECEIPT OF REMAINS SHIPBOARD The  officer  of  the  deck  takes  custody  of  the remains  when  they  are  delivered  to  the  ship. Eight  body  bearers  are  mustered  and  formed according  to  height  on  each  side  of  the  casket. The remains are carried aboard ship (figure 4-12) and placed in temporary quarters until the burial service begins. The casket is always carried feet first.  The  body  bearers  will  be  dressed  in  the uniforms   specified   for   the   service   and   will remain covered at all times while they are carry- ing  the  casket.  Below  decks,  while  not  carrying the  casket,  the  body  bearers  will  be  uncovered. In the compartment where the remains are tem- porarily  placed,  an  honor  guard  will  stand  by the  casket  continuously  until  the  remains  are brought  topside  for  committal. While   in   the   compartment,   the   encased remains  are  draped  with  the  national  ensign. The  cap  and  sword  of  the  deceased  are  not  dis- played  on  the  casket  when  it  is  draped  with the  national  ensign.  The  union  of  the  national 4-16