BHR Saves Navy Money by Housing LCU for Repairs
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060427-13
Release Date: 4/27/2006 10:00:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Ryan Valverde, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
ABOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- The San Diego-based Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) saved the Navy more than $40,000 April 13 by embarking a Utility Landing Craft (LCU) to repair a hole in the craft’s hull eight inches below the waterline.
"Money and time was the biggest thing here," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Damon F. Adoor, LCU 1629 craftmaster. "We are grateful. BHR had an empty deck and was willing to house us for urgent repairs."
BHR's schedule allowed for the LCU to remain in the ship's well deck until civilian contractors repaired the damage. According to Adoor, contractors repaired the 47-year-old landing craft in less than a day, a task that would take more than a month in a shipyard.
Embarking the LCU also facilitated additional training and experience for BHR's Deck Department by giving them one more opportunity to recover and launch the craft.
"It filtered down to us to make it happen," explained BHR's Well Deck Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Jeffery Small of Oceanside, Calif.
Small said the extra hands-on training with the LCU would benefit Deck Department for upcoming well deck certifications.
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Robert Rusticus of Merced, Calif., echoed, "Deck Department stepped up to the plate and made it happen."
"BHR is always willing to help out our shipmates on the waterfront," said BHR Executive Officer Cmdr. Andrew Cully. "In this case, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
BHR is currently steaming off the coast of Southern California, training to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea.
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