Sound Naval Shipyard News

Repairs to Carrier's Anchor Windlass Completed in Record Time

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility employees and ship’s force worked together to repair the anchor windlass on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in about a third of the time it took previously.The anchor windlass is comprised of motors, gears and other parts responsible for the controlled lowering and raising of the chain and anchor, which can weigh up to 200,000 pounds on a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. It's a difficult job that requires much planning and complicated execution.According to Shawn Carragher and Zac Malone…

Lessons Learned from the USS Bonhomme Richard Fire

Shipboard fire a constant threat: Bonhomme Richard tragedy an enduring lesson in fire prevention, responseJuly 12, 2020 was a lazy Sunday morning at Naval Base San Diego. USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), which had been commissioned only two years earlier, had recently made the base its new homeport and was docked as it underwent a maintenance availability.But, the silence of that morning was rocked by an explosion a few minutes before 9 a.m., changing everything for the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.Below the decks…

WSP USA Hires Harris as Navy Program Director

WSP USA, an engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, has hired Charles "Chuck" Harris as Navy program director for the firm’s Federal Programs national business line.In his new role, Harris directs the growth of the Federal team’s Navy program, which includes a recent joint venture win to directly support the $500 million U.S. Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) for improvements to dry docks at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate…

Vigor Wins $131 Million Navy Ship Repair Deal

Portland, Ore. based shipbuilding and repair company Vigor Marine has been awarded a $131,151,747 firm-fixed-price contract action to accomplish the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) 2C1 dry-docking selected restricted availability (DSRA).The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $131,826,808.Work will be performed in Seattle (77%) and Everett, Wash. (23%), and is expected to be completed by February 2024.This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(3).

NAMS Announces Fall Conference Dates

The National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) announced the dates for its 2022 New England Fall Conference in Newport, R.I. and North 2022 Pacific Fall Conference in Bremerton, Wash.The New England Fall Conference, to be held October 27 and 28, 2022, will include a roundtable and reception at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades. IYRS is a non-profit, post-secondary experiential learning institution and is the premier marine trades and modern manufacturing school in the United States. IYRS offers education and training programs for people with a passion for thinking and working through their hands.NAMS-accredited marine surveyors…

US Navy Awards Shipyard Modernization Contract

The U.S. Navy has awarded a $500-million design contract for the modernization of two of its shipyards in Hawaii and Washington.The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architecture-engineering contract awarded to Honolulu, Hawaii-based WSM Pacific SIOP by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) on September 7 is for structural and waterfront-related projects at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) in Hawaii and Puget…

Wolfson Takes the Helm at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Captain Dianna Wolfson took the helm Friday as the 110th commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and first female leader in its 253-year history.Wolfson also holds the distinction of becoming the first female commander of any of the nation’s four public shipyards when she assumed command in June 2019 of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).This marks her third NNSY tour, with previous assignments as Operations Officer and Project Superintendent for the USS Newport News (SSN 750) Engineered Overhaul.NNSY…

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Commander Relieved

The commander of the U.S. Navy’s Norfolk Naval Shipyard has been ousted amid ongoing performance issues in repairing and modernizing the service's ships.Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Vice Adm. Bill Galinis relieved Capt. Kai Torkelson, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to statement from the U.S. Navy.Rear Adm. Howard Markle, Director of NAVSEA’s Industrial Operations Directorate (SEA 04), has assumed duties as the acting commander until a permanent relief is named, the Navy said.

Vigor Wins $133 Mln US Navy Repair Job

Vigor Marine has been awarded a $133,406,869 firm-fixed-price contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for USS McCampbell (DDG 85) chief of naval operations scheduled depot maintenance availability. The contract includes options which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $155,621,173.The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan on July 2, and is currently is en route to Vigor's Portland, Ore. shipyard, where she will undergo her midlife modernization.

US Navy Calls In Reservists to Help Clear Ship Maintenance Backlog

The U.S. Navy is mobilizing 1,629 Reservists to support aircraft carrier and submarine maintenance at its four public shipyards starting in July. This mobilization will help reduce the maintenance backlog that has developed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In March, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) authorized weather and safety leave for shipyard personnel who fell under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "high risk" category for extreme complications tied to the COVID-19 virus.

Konecranes Wins $46 mln USN Crane Deal

US Navy has contracted Konecranes to deliver a 175-ton portal jib crane to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in the State of Washington. The $46-million order was booked in December and contains options for six additional portal jib cranes over the next seven years. If realized, the total value of the agreement would be around $330 million.The crane to be provided is a Konecranes tailor-made design, unique with features that allow it to operate on the multiple rail section sizes, straight or curved, located at the Naval base. The portal jib crane is also designed to minimize wheel loads while operating at maximum capacity through the maximum operating range with Konecranes’ unique dynamic stability system.This design of crane is tailored to the historical shipyard layouts of the US Navy…

Navy Innovation: Using Virtual Reality

Imagine conducting ship checks and training aboard a ship without ever leaving your office. At Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), this has become a reality thanks to virtual reality.NNSY's Radiological Control Special Projects and Refueling Division (Code 105.26) has collaborated with the Nuclear Fluid Systems and Mechanical Engineering Division (Code 2320), the Nuclear Refueling Engineering Division (Code 2370), and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to create laser scans of vessels…

Robots to Optimize Shipyard Operations

The navy shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) and Sarcos Robotics will jointly develop robotic technologies, including full-body powered exoskeletons, for use in naval shipyards, the two entities jointly announced.Sarcos Robotics, a player in robotic systems that augment rather than replace humans working in the industrial, public safety and military sectors, said in a press note that they would will evaluate Sarcos’ Guardian XO battery-powered full-body exoskeleton as well as its Guardian S inspection robot for use across a wide variety of unstructured, challenging work environments and tasks.Areas of initial focus will be manipulation of heavy items…

USN Awards Sub Safety Contracts

Oceaneering International Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia (N64498-19-D-0001); Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia (N64498-19-D-0002); and General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut (N64498-19-D-0003), are being awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity multiple award contracts with firm-fixed-priced ordering provisions for Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) and Level I engineering and technical services in the amounts of $827,674,072; $874,341,811; and $1,110,350,671, respectively. This requirement is for management and technical services for the support installation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of main and auxiliary weapons…

Warship Shuffle: Three Aircraft Carriers Swap Homeports

The U.S. Navy announced today that three of its Nimitz-class aircraft carriers will conduct homeport shifts.USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), currently located in Norfolk, Va., will rejoin the Pacific Fleet, making San Diego its homeport. Abraham Lincoln, commissioned in 1989, previously served in the Pacific Fleet from 1990-2011 before moving to Norfolk for midlife refueling.The other two carrier homeport shifts are tied to carrier maintenance. USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), currently homeported in Bremerton…

Vigor Wins $35m Navy Contract

Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is being awarded a $35,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements in support of upcoming dry-docking selected restricted availabilities (DSRA) for DDG 51-class destroyers. This contract will support the dry-docking and facility support requirements for a DSRA and includes dry-docking support, office spaces, warehousing, lay-down, security, crane support, utilities, galley services and other ship’s force support. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September 2020.

Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz Enters Drydock

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) entered dry dock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton site, March 1, as part of the ship's scheduled 15-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) period following a six month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets. Nimitz will receive upgrades and renovations to a variety of systems to include steering components, hull preservation, combat systems equipment, aircraft elevator doors, berthing areas and a new stern dock.

Vigor Wins $19.6m Navy Ship Repair Contract

Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is being awarded a $19,629,518 firm-fixed-price contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for USS Kidd (DDG 100) Chief of Naval Operations scheduled, selected restricted availability (SRA) in support of the DDG-51-class destroyer ship repair program. For U.S. Naval Surface Combatants – typical repair and maintenance work to be performed in SRA includes modernization ship alterations; blasting, painting and surface preparation for complete or touch-up preservation, freeboard, struts, rudders, running gear, ground tackle, and sea-chest; hull, mechanical and electrical; various interior tanks. Work will be performed in Everett, Washington, and is expected to be completed by September, 2018.

John C. Stennis Best in the West

Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific announced Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the recipient of the 2016 Battle "E" award for aircraft carriers home-ported in the Pacific, March 28. The Commander, Naval Air Forces Carrier Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") competition is held annually to recognize the best performing east and west coast aircraft carriers and award them for demonstrating superior performance and readiness. Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific and Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey, commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic, released a joint message announcing and congratulating the winners of the Battle "E" award. "Congratulations to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Harry S.

USS Ronald Reagan Departs for Sea Trials

The U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), departed Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) May 7. Ronald Reagan's crew shifted colors at 11:54 a.m. and made way to conduct sea trials in the final phase of the ship's selective restricted availability (SRA) maintenance period, which began January 10. "I am extremely proud of the Reagan crew's accomplishments up to this point of our SRA period," said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, commanding officer.

USS Nimitz, USS Shoup and USS Kidd Depart for Deployment

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) departed their homeports of Naval Base Kitsap and Naval Station Everett, respectively, for a regularly scheduled deployment. This is a previously planned, routine deployment and is not in response to any specific incident or regional event. This deployment is an example of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in waters around the globe displaying our commitment to stability, regional cooperation and economic prosperity for all nations. "This deployment is the culmination of months of intensive training and preparations," said Rear Adm. Bill Byrne Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11. "The Nimitz Strike Group stands ready to respond to a wide variety of contingencies, be that a humanitarian disaster or a regional incident.

John C. Stennis Underway for Sea Trials Ahead of Schedule

Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) got underway for Sea Trials as the ship's planned incremental availability (PIA) nears its end, August 11. John C. Stennis entered PIA in February with the largest work package ever planned for a six-month availability for a Nimitz-class carrier, requiring more than 2,800,000 man-hours of work between ship's Sailors, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and contractors. Through teamwork, dedication and expert management, the ship was able to get underway ahead of their originally planned departure date. "With the extraordinary support of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, USS John C.

Nimitz Begins Sea Trials

Sea trials for the newly refurbished U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) commenced on October 5, following a 20-month Extended Planned Incremental Availability (EPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash. Nimitz entered the shipyards in February 2015 for its fifth major maintenance period and completed the largest maintenance period to date without bringing the carrier into dry dock, according to Cmdr. Mark Yates, Nimitz chief engineering officer and native of Smithfield, Va. “We've repaired and replaced quite a few systems,” said Capt.