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Nimitz Sailors Begin Major Offload of Gear Before Maintenance

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101211-06
12/11/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class C.J. Amdahl, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors began a major offload of personal and work gear Dec. 10 as the ship prepares to enter dry-dock for a year-long docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) in Bremerton, Wash.

When the industrial work begins, most of the ship will become uninhabitable and most day-to-day administrative and support work will be conducted from a crew messing and berthing barge located near the ship.

Additionally, Nimitz Sailors are moving all of their personal belongings from their shipboard berthing to Naval Base Kitsap barracks or to off-base housing.

"The barracks are very nice," said Damage Controlman Fireman Apprentice Racheal Macauley. "Moving wasn't that bad. My division helped me out a lot, and there were people to point you in the right direction on base if you looked lost."

Using cranes and ramps, Sailors began shifting the contents of the ship to the empty barge nearby. The equipment they are moving includes everything from simple chairs and desks to heavy-duty printers and computers.

"Although it's hectic on board getting everything moved, it's nothing we can't handle," said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Miguel Silva. "It's going smoothly. We're in the process of moving mattresses and office equipment down to the barge. Everyone is looking forward to doing something new."

The ship plans to enter dry-dock within the next week, which gives Sailors only a few days to get everything off the ship.

"The planning phase is over," said Command Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen. "We're in the execution process now. We're moving everything off the ship, and if the car offload yesterday was any indication of how things will go over the next few days, it should go smoothly."

During the administrative homeport change from San Diego to Bremerton, Nimitz also brought almost 400 personally-owned vehicles with it. All of these cars had to be driven off the ship after Nimitz pulled into port, and it only took four hours to make that happen.

The DPIA is scheduled Jan. 11, 2011, through Dec. 16, 2011. The ship plans to upgrade several key systems throughout the next year including the potable water system, combat and self defense systems, electrical load centers and other key components to ensure mission readiness.