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Stennis Sailors Relocate Workspaces to Barge for Ship's Planned Incremental Availability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100601-19
6/1/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heather Seelbach, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) are relocating their work centers to a barge only about a third of the length of the ship and a fifth as tall, beginning June 2 as part of the ship's planned incremental availability (PIA).

"Some departments are moving their entire operation to the barge, and we are trying to accommodate them as much as possible to make sure that they have the space they need," said Lt. Cmdr. Tara Lambert, Stennis' barge officer, who is coordinating the move, along with supply, combat systems and numerous other departments.

"To move an entire work center over to the barge, we have to coordinate the offload of things that they need," said Lambert. "For example, media department will need large copiers and printers."

For the move, supply department will use cranes to transport large items from the ship to the barge, and combat systems will arrange transportation of computers with the help of a working party.

"We have to have a form signed by combat systems to unplug computers and move them off the ship," said Lambert. "Once the computers are moved to the barge, combat systems will hook them up to the local area network."

In addition to work center relocation, the collection, holding and transfer tanks and electrical systems will be down for maintenance during PIA, making the ship uninhabitable for Sailors.

Since no one can sleep on the ship during PIA, most of the enlisted Sailors have moved into bachelor enlisted quarters. Duty section berthing will fully transition to the barge June 4.

Meal service aboard Stennis will secure after midnight rations June 2, and commuted rations will be provided beginning June 3. Afterwards, meals will be served aboard the barge and will be available for purchase using Navy cash.

Lambert said there are a lot of moving parts during PIA, and Sailors must work together to ensure a successful transition to the barge.

"We have to coordinate with one another and be patient," said Lambert. "PIA only lasts six months."