Bae Facility News

The Navy’s first Canberra-Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) warship arrives at its Victoria, Australian home for the next 12 months. The LHD01 hull has been transported from Spain to Australia by Heavy Lift Ship, Blue Marlin, taking around eight weeks for the 12,000 nautical miles ( approx 18,520 km) to deliver the first LHD. Senior Project Manager for Dockwise, Frank Berrens, said that he was proud the company could assist in the delivery and provide the hull to BAE Systems ready to commence work on the next phase.

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) announced that a $4.1m contract has been awarded to the Norfolk Ship Repair Unit of BAE Systems for dry-docking and maintenance on the National Historic Landmark vessel N.S. Savannah. The Savannah, the world’s first and the only U.S.-built nuclear-powered merchant ship, is currently moored at the BAE facility. All nuclear fuel was removed from the Savannah more than 30 years ago. The major work to be done on the Savannah is a full surface preparation and coating of the ship’s exterior from top to bottom. Other work includes detailed inspection of the ship’s double bottom ballast tanks, repairs to the ship’s cargo hatch covers, and minor exterior repairs to ensure the weather tight integrity of the ship.