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Nimitz Enters Dry-Dock at Puget Sound for Docking Planned Incremental Availability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101217-06
12/17/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ashley Berumen, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) completed its move from Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton, Wash., to its dry-dock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Dec. 16, to begin its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA).

Capt. John Ring, USS Nimitz executive officer, said the ship was able to make the move from Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF in just days because of pre-planning, hard work and excellent teamwork between Nimitz and the shipyard.

"Usually when a ship comes into the yards, there's about a month of preparation," said Ring. "We did a month's worth of work in five days, which is unbelievable."

Ring said the crew and shipyard employees worked long days and came together to make a smooth transition to the dry-dock.

"The crew worked great as a team, and it says a lot about what we should expect over the next year," said Ring.

After moving the ship from its berth aboard Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton to its dry-dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF, an evolution that took more than seven hours to complete, the ship was placed over pre-positioned blocks and secured by lines on the pier. Water was then pumped out of the dry-dock and the ship was lowered onto blocks.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF Dock Master Dennis Young said it's a difficult task getting a 1,000 to 1,500 ft. ship in place for dry-dock.

"When we set it down, we are allowed two inches from any plant position," said Young. "Anything after that we re-flood and set it back down."

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Casey Spauldings, USS Nimitz, said being dry-docked is going to be a different experience, but he is looking forward to it.

"I'm excited," Spauldings said. "This is the first time I'll be dry-docked and it's an evolution and experience that you will probably only do once or twice in your career."

During DPIA, Nimitz will receive major upgrades to its combat, self-defense, navigation and potable water systems and numerous other components while dry-docked. After completion of DPIA, Nimitz is scheduled to be homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.