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Wasp Enters Continuous Maintenance Availability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100830-21
8/30/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rebekah Adler, USS Wasp Public Affairs

USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) began an eight-month continuous maintenance availability (CMAV) Aug. 23 to conduct necessary upkeep and upgrades of the ship.

"The reason why we're going through this is to extend the life of the ship; this is just one of those things that have to be done," said Lt. Cmdr. Arthur Harvey, Wasp's planned maintenance availability (PMA) coordinator.

"Taking care of the ship is like taking care of your house; if you don't paint it after five years it starts peeling and wood starts rotting, so it's all about the upkeep of your home."

During Wasp's CMAV period, projects will be underway to repair and overhaul the ship's berthings, galleys, and other vital spaces, with new lagging and fresh coats of paint applied in just about every space.

Wasp is also scheduled to receive new equipment upgrades in areas such as its engineering spaces, which will have its boilers taken apart to check for any problems or deficiencies, a process that occurs every 18 months.

"These boilers have hundreds of steaming hours on them, so it's necessary for the ship's life cycle for us to stay at the designated time for these repairs," said Chief Warrant Officer Byron Martin, Wasp's boiler officer.

Other improvements being planned during CMAV are modifications to help the boilers steam better, plus a newer and safer chemical treatment for the boiler water called carbohydrazide.

According to Lt. Tony Fries, Wasp's assistant PMA coordinator, the CMAV period is essential not only to the life of the ship, but to the welfare of the crew.

"If there are any major issues with the ship, it becomes a domino effect from top to bottom," said Fries. "By ensuring we have adequate berthings and working showers, we are putting together all the pieces of the puzzle for our Sailors. We want to make sure they're taken care of so we can get out there, complete the ship's mission, and return home safely."

Having completed an Inspection of Board and Survey, participated in international events in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and undergone several ship-wide inspections in the past year has left little personal time for the crew. In spite of the crew's projected workload during CMAV, some Wasp Sailors will use this time in port to pursue personal goals and to spend some all important time with their families.

"Even though we have work that needs to be done, we don't have to worry about the ins and outs of going out to sea," said Harvey. "We can finally plan for family vacations and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Engineman Fireman Emily Moser said the CMAV will be challenging, but she is looking forward to a more relaxed atmosphere and a less hectic schedule.

"It will give us more time to get things done, since there are things you can't fix underway, so it will be less stressful," said Moser, who plans to take college courses for her bachelor's degree in business studies.

"It will also be a nice time to work on school and personal goals."