USS Shoup Enters SRA Period
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070110-10
Release Date: 1/10/2007 4:15:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leah Quinton, Fleet Public Affair Center Det Northwest
EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Shoup (DDG 86) ship’s restricted availability (SRA) period began Jan. 10 at Naval Station Everett.
Over the next three months, the ships crew, contractors and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) Detachment Everett Sailors will work on maintaining, updating and replacing many of the ship’s systems.
“We've been preparing ourselves for the last month and a half,” said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class (SW) Ruan Patino. “Every work center and division has taken the appropriate steps to make it an easy transition for everyone. We seem prepared and we are going to steam ahead and see what else we can do.”
While Shoup is pierside at its homeport, Naval Station Everett, it will undergo renovations to include new gray water piping, new placement of a MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS), cleansing of the intakes to all of the ships generators and engines, and installation of a new radio system.
“It’s a joint effort,” said Chief Electrician’s Mate (SW/AW) Johnnie Hooper, Shoup’s SRA coordinator. “The shipyard and IMF are doing a majority of the work but the ship’s force has their own work list as well. It’s time for us to give back to the ship because it needs some 'TLC', and that’s exactly what we are going to be giving it.”
The Intermediate Maintenance Facility got a head start on the ship’s SRA by beginning their work on the ship’s intakes Dec. 13.
“IMF is excellent. They always play a big part in this,” said Hooper. “There are a lot of things that IMF has planned to do for us that is going to make this successful as well. The intakes they are working on are one of the biggest jobs that we have during this SRA period.”
Many of the ship’s crew stressed that communication and coordination with shipyard workers would be the primary factor that makes the SRA run smoothly.
“I think communication between the ship's crew and the shipyard workers is going to be an important factor during the SRA,” said Patino. “So if we can keep a steady stream of communication and dedication, we'll get through it.”
“It’s imperative that the ship’s force works side by side with the shipyard and IMF,” said Hooper. “It’s one team. We know what the goal is, we know what our milestones are and what needs to be accomplished. The thing that is going to make this successful is communication from all parties.”
The ship’s senior leadership has been preparing Shoup Sailors for the SRA.
“We got our hardhats and goggles today,” said Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Juanett Martin. “We've held safety meetings and training sessions that let the Sailors know what to expect during the next three months. They’ve also been prepared for the specific things they'll be doing maintenance on.”
“I think they have prepared me very well for the SRA,” said Storekeeper Seaman Matt Hanson. “They have been talking about it a lot and we've had briefs and learned a lot of stuff to prepare us.”
During the renovation, Sailors who live aboard the destroyer will be staying in Naval Station Everett barracks.
“I think it's a good opportunity for our junior Sailors to get off [the ship],” said Martin. “It’s a good thing for them because they’ll get some time to themselves for a little while. I know they are all excited about it.”
The SRA is scheduled to be completed by April 3. After all the work lists are checked off, the ship’s crew will perform sea trials to guarantee all of the new equipment is working properly. Then, they will start preparing for their board of inspection and survey (INSURV) in June.
“The SRA is big in a lot of different ways,” said Hooper. “Not only are we getting a lot of stuff fixed that we need to maintain our equipment and complete operations out there, we are also setting ourselves up for success during INSURV.”
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