Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Dynamic (AFDL 6) dry dock successfully completed its first docking and undocking evolution of 2018, at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Norfolk, March 19.
Dynamic underwent a Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV) and pump repairs in 2017, during which time the dry dock was not accessible for repairs to small boats in the region.
"In early 2016, Dynamic was fitted with new pump motor combinations," said Dynamic Commanding Officer Lt. Edward Menezes. "The original pump motors had been in Dynamic since the 1940s, when she was first commissioned. As you could imagine, over many decades of service, the pumps required a lot support from outside organizations to make repairs in order to keep the pumps operational.
Dynamic, with the assistance of her maintenance team and MARMC's tech codes, assembled a team composed of the original manufacturer [Flowserve Corporation], Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and Philadelphia to identify the problem and a solution.
"Once the team figured out what happened, the Philadelphia-based NSWC assessment team started working on a permanent solution, which we hope to effect during the dock's next availability in early 2019. This solution will help us to get back to normal operating conditions, instead of working under a major Departure from Specification (DFS)," said Menezes.
Due to Dynamic's extended maintenance and troubleshooting period, the dock and crew missed six potential dry-dockings of Landing Craft Units from Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU2), a group with a long-term reliance on the dry dock.
During ACU2's recent dry-docking of Landing Craft Unit (LCU) 1657, the group received assistance with repairs to a valve on the vessel's air conditioning sea suction valve. In order to conduct that repair while the ship was still in the water, it required a great deal of time and resources. With Dynamic's assistance, they were able to complete the repairs the same day the craft was brought into the dry dock.
"Since they were able to complete their repair so quickly, they decided to take some other preventative measures to ensure the integrity of the boat's hull," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer Keith McCoo, who was participating in his first dry-docking since reporting to Dynamic. "Giving that command the flexibility and the opportunity to give their boats a full sweep - that makes us happy and gives them and the Navy the peace of mind that these vessels are mission ready when they are called upon."
According to Menezes, since Dynamic's last dry-docking, the crew has seen roughly a 40% turnover of its manning, including the dry dock's chief engineer. Despite that challenge, the crew worked hard to train and qualify individuals to ensure they were prepared to perform their jobs, once the dry dock returned to a fully operational status.
"We went six or seven months without operations, on top of having all these new Sailors, who had never seen the dry dock operate. The docking and undocking of LCU 1657 was one of the best we have done in my entire time here," said Menezes. "That is a credit to this crew, and their ability to work well together and take their training seriously. That is what really excited me, seeing our team work effectively."
"Today, I had the opportunity to relay commands, from our ballast controllers to our valve operators, to ensure we were raising and lowering the dry dock at the right speed and evenly on both sides," said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Apprentice David Bush, who was also participating in his first docking evolution at Dynamic. "It was a great learning experience to see how Dynamic functions and to get a feel for how the entire team meshes during a docking."
Dynamic is a single, rigid piece floating dry-dock designed for a maximum lift capacity of 950 light/tons. The dry dock was designed under the direction of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and was constructed by Chicago Bridge and Iron Company of Eureka, Calif. Construction was completed on March 11, 1944. Dynamic is the oldest vessel in the Naval Register (with the exception of USS Constitution), and will turn 75 years old next year.
Dynamic, which docked eight vessels in 2017, plans to reach that goal again this year.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2018 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 271885 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 271 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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