USS Helena Pulls into Floating Dry Dock
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060120-12
Release Date: 1/20/2006 12:46:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Apprentice Mike Leporati, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy’s only floating dry dock, Arco, moored the Los Angeles-class attack submarine, USS Helena (SSN 725), Jan. 10 for routine repairs.
Helena was guided to the dock by tugboats and then Arco’s crew positioned the submarine using mooring lines to pull the 6,900-ton submarine into the dry dock.
Arco averages three submarines a year, said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW/SCW) Deondra Quarles, who is stationed on Arco. “Everybody has to be part of the team here,” said Quarles. “Everyone takes part in mooring the sub.”
Over the next few months the Navy, with help from a civilian contractors, will conduct routine maintenance procedures on the submarine. Once the submarine was in place, the platform was lifted to expose the ship's hull so Arco’s crew can later steam clean, chip and repaint the ship’s hull. The contractors will inspect the rest of the ship for any repairs the submarine might need.
“I’ve learned to trust the engineers. Whenever there’s a problem pulling in a sub, they’re on it,” said Aviation Maintenance Airman Crystal Griffin, who is stationed on Arco.
"We do a lot of training before the subs arrive, like qualifying on the cranes, fire control and preparing the lines,” Griffin said.
Once the submarine is in Arco, cables are attached to the submarine and tightened with a winch. The boat can then be positioned directly above the wooden stand made specifically for it.
“This is a good part of the Navy,” said Quarles. “I think we gain a lot of benefits by having the Arco in the Navy.”
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