NAVSEA Assists Gulf Coast Shipyards After Hurricane Katrina

By Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON - Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) military and civilian personnel are assisting in the damage assessment and clean-up of the Gulf Coast shipyards after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"NAVSEA personnel are helping in damage assessment and clean-up, said Captain Mike Good, director of NAVSEA's Supervisor of Shipbuilding and Repair (SUPSHIP) Management Office.

"We had some minor damage to one of the destroyers, Kidd (DDG 100) that has been patched. The Landing Platform Dock ships, the San Antonio (LPD 17) and the Mesa Verde (LPD 19) appear to have ridden out the storm fairly well," commented Good. "San Antonio and Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) are being used to berth and feed personnel at Northrop Grumman's shipyard. There has been some flooding in warehouses and shore facilities."

A number of major shipyard assets such as cranes and most fabrication facilities appear to have survived the hurricane, but are not operational. Flooding and high winds damaged many shipyard buildings. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The estimated cost of the damage is and a determination of the impact to ship schedules has yet to be determined.

The Navy has offered facilities, communications, and accommodations aboard its ships at Pascagoula Operations to assist in the restoration of shipyard operations. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) has accepted the Navy's offer of support and established a temporary operations center aboard Forrest Sherman. The Navy is also assisting with communications at the shipyards.

"We are closely cooperating our industry partners as they clean-up and make repairs to the Pascagoula and Avondale facilities. We are all part of one team and together we will get through this adversity and get back to the business of building ships for the Navy," said Good.