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Bataan Prepares for Planned Maintenance Availability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100322-03
Release Date: 3/22/2010 4:01:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erin L. Boyce, USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Following a seven-month deployment and more than two months supporting Operation Unified Response off the coast of Haiti, USS Bataan (LHD 5) will receive some much needed maintenance and upkeep during a shipyard availability at British Defense, Security and Aerospace Company (BAE) shipyards in Norfolk scheduled April 2010.

Bataan's crew is currently working to ensure a successful planned maintenance availability (PMA) in the shipyards.

"PMA is a time where the ship starts to shift gears," said Lt. Cmdr. Mark Postill, Bataan's PMA coordinator. "It's basically a post deployment maintenance period. It identifies all the equipment that began to fail on deployment or equipment that needs repair, so we can fix it in time for the next deployment."

Planning for the event is an ongoing process. Sailors know the harder they work preparing the ship, the easier life will be in the yards.

"Bataan has been planning for PMA since August 2009," said Postill. "The PMA definitely starts with leadership. Everything has to be made into a plan so the time and work we put into the yards will go smoothly, and everything will be completed with as little mishaps as possible."

Leadership aboard Bataan has been preparing the crew for what lies ahead.

"PMA requires participation from all hands," said Chief Warrant Officer Consuelo Bustamante, Bataan's repair officer. "This period of PMA will be an extremely busy time for Bataan; that's why we must have a good balance of work, training and a little rest and relaxation."

The goal is to simultaneously train the crew, perform the maintenance for the upcoming work-up cycle and to certify in all warfare areas.

"This period gives in-rate training to Sailors along with an increase in watch-standing skills," said Bustamante. "During the yard period, a lot of the equipment will be disassembled, so Sailors will be able to see the inner working of the equipment they use. It's a great time to learn from skilled contractors and technical representatives."

Major maintenance plans include work on the forward and aft boilers, as well as upgrades to the close-in weapons systems (CIWS).

A number of Tiger Teams have been established to help with painting, lagging, non-skid, berthing rehabilitation and overall safety.

With all the planned activity, there is a great potential for injuries, and the crew is meticulously planning each evolution and thinking safety every step of the way.

"Safety is huge," said Bustamante. "Hard hats and goggles are required while in the vicinity of the ship. We will also conduct two safety walk throughs a day. All hands must be at high alert and be conscience of everything happening around you."

Bataan has been on station off the coast of Haiti since Jan. 18 supporting Operation Unified Response, an international commitment to provide relief for the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake.