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GW Begins Reinstallation of Ship's Anchors

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070317-01
Release Date: 3/17/2007 11:28:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Bach, USS George Washington Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) began another major milestone during their Planned Incremental Availability plus Docking on March 5.

Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the ship’s forecastle, Deck Department’s 1st division began the process of reinstalling the ship's ground tackle, which includes chains and anchors, with the assistance of Norfolk Naval Shipyard personnel.

Safety is the number one concern for the George Washington team during any evolution, but more so when handling the amount of weight this particular installation requires.

The evolution began on the starboard side, which includes 12 shots of chain and anchor.

“Our goal is to get everything back on board without damage or anyone getting hurt,” said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Leonard Miller, leading petty officer for 1st division.

There are several critical points during the installation process that require key coordination. First the initial shot of chain is hauled aboard from the dry dock. Then the chain is hauled up and through the hawse pipe around the wildcat using mooring lines and capstans.

The next step is connecting the bitter end of that initial shot to a safety padeye located in the respective chain locker. Finally, the bitter end of the 12th shot is connected to the outboard swivel-shot and 30-ton anchor. To successfully wrap up the evolution, the anchor is hauled up and secured.

“Accomplishing this evolution is a major milestone for deck department,” said Chief Boatswain's Mate Dustin Miller, leading chief petty officer, 1st division. “The chains need to be on the ship early in the availability to assist Air Department with calibrating their catapults.”

"For Deck Department, the completion of the anchor evolution means getting one step closer to accomplishing the ship's overhaul in the dry dock and heading back to the pier,” said Miller.

Once the anchor installation is complete, a total of nearly 600,000 lbs. of weight will have been added back to the bow section of the ship.

GW is undergoing a $300 million availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard as it prepares to relieve USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Japan as the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier in 2008.