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NAVSEA Providing Corrosion Control Assistance to Norfolk-based Ships

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100624-08
6/24/2010

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- As part of the Navy's ongoing effort to improve service life of in-service surface ships, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has developed a pilot program to defend the Navy from one of its most insidious enemies -rust.

Although still in the pilot stage, the program's Corrosion Control Assist Teams (CCAT) have completed work on five ships this year with repairs to USS Scranton (SSN 756) concluding, June 7, and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), June 11. Work on the sixth surface ship, USS Carr (FFG 53), completes early next month.

These specialized teams are providing pier-side service capability to Norfolk-based ships with the tools, equipment and expertise required to accomplish and document preservation work to help counter the Navy's largest cost and manpower driver.

"The persistent effects of corrosion are leading our ships to age at an accelerated pace," said Rear Adm. Jim McManamon, NAVSEA's deputy commander for surface warfare. "The cost of corrosion for Navy ships is almost $2.5 billion per year - almost 25 percent of the Navy's total maintenance budget. NAVSEA corrosion teams are ensuring our Sailors have the equipment and manpower to complete necessary preservation work now, as well the knowledge and experience to continue well into the future."

The CCAT program is designed to bolster efforts of ships' force in preventing corrosion, as well as preserving spaces before corrosion sets in. Though the preservation work is actually accomplished by each ship's crew, the assistance teams provide the necessary technical expertise to fully rehabilitate shaft alleys, boat davits, fan rooms, and other spaces both inside the ship and mounted to the weather decks. The teams also bring specialized tools and industrial air compressors, preventing costly wear and tear to shipboard equipment.

Other ships having repairs completed through the pilot program were USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), and USS Anzio (CG 68).

In addition to the assistance teams, NAVSEA is procuring protective covers for surface ships to protect deck equipment from weather, sand, and other contaminates. By the end of fiscal 2011, every Navy surface ship will be outfitted with these covers.

These efforts are part of a new focus on surface ship readiness. NAVSEA, in coordination with the fleet, has begun a series of initiatives to increase fleet support and improve maintenance practices across ship classes, while also modernizing them to keep pace with mission requirements. These maintenance initiatives are designed to ensure all surface ships are fully mission-ready and able to achieve their expected service life.