The Navy has granted a $54 million, five-year continuous maintenance contract for work on DDG-51-class ships to Southwest Marine (SWM). USS Stetham is scheduled to arrive at the shipyard on September 26; the last ship included in the contract will be at the yard on July 12, 2006. The contract encompasses a total of 23 availabilities.
The award, which includes 10 ships, also contains an option for USS Lassen in 2003 and USS Howard in 2004. The work package on each ship includes dry docking, shaft work, underwater hull painting, maintenance, various general repairs, electronic upgrades, structural piping work and alterations. Teaming up with SWM on this contract is Continental Maritime (CMSD), which offers the Navy resources additional to SWM's piers and dry dock.