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GW Shipshape After Three Months In San Diego

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080831-02
Release Date: 8/31/2008 5:35:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Mike, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed all repairs at Naval Station Air North Island, Calif., Aug. 20, making her fully operational and ready to continue her deployment.

George Washington (GW) was scheduled to relieve USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in June as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier but was delayed by a May 22 fire. She was docked in North Island for three months to repair damages.

While in port, 70 spaces, seven individual electrical load centers, two air conditioning plants, and three refrigeration plants were among the spaces repaired, said Lt. Cmdr. Randy Brown, GW's maintenance manager.

Getting the ship to Yokosuka as soon as possible was top priority, said Brown who was charged with coordinating the repairs. Planning the repairs started almost immediately after the fire was extinguished.

Brown, who was not aboard GW during the fire, communicated by phone from San Diego with GW to determine the extent of the damage. Days later, an assessment team flew to GW to determine what materials to order for repairs.

George Washington arrived in San Diego in late May. The crew and contractors worked the equivalent of 3,000 work days in less than three months.

"[There were] three days off since May 22, and the crew has been working well over eight-hour days," Brown said.

The crew overcame problems not common during a normal in-port period, Brown said.

To assess and repair damaged areas, workers cut through walls, which put smoke into other work spaces.

Temporary ventilation was also installed to ensure clean air.

"An accurate assessment was needed, but we needed to make sure the workers were safe," Brown said.

Repair workers also cut a hole in the side of the ship, which allowed them to more easily remove the damaged cables. It also allowed for further ventilation.

The ship's time at North Island also helped prepare the crew for future work at Fleet Activites Yokosuka, Brown said.

"While we were here, we took advantage of practicing the procedures we're going to use in Yokosuka for the first [maintenance] period for a nuclear carrier," Brown said.

For more news from USS George Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.