Dry-dock FAQs...

I know there are a ton of questions out there about what it means to put a ship through dry-dock.  I get them on Facebook and also through email and even in person... so, in order to address some of those questions my crack media team (actually it was MC3 Katherine Barkley) has compiled a short list of some frequently asked questions.   Send more... we'll get you an answer!

Cheers,
MCC Joe Kane

FAQ’s about USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Dry Dock Period Maintenance Availability 

Compiled by MC3 K Barkley

What are some changes/upgrades BHR will have during the DPMA?

a.       Updates to the flight deck to accommodate the new MV-22 Osprey and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft

b.      Computer Network upgrades and divisions will receive new/updated computers equipment

c.       The hull preservation -- ship will receive 5-6 coats of paint (about 200,000 gallons!)

d.      Navigation System upgrades and additional internal system upgrades       

2)      How long will BHR be “in the yards”? Approximately 9 months total time, including the dry-dock at NASSCO from Dec. 2010-April 2011

3)       What is the working environment like for BHR Sailors? It is an industrial construction type environment and Sailors must wear personal protection equipment (PPE) at all times in the shipyard and while on the ship. Sailors must maintain 360-degree awareness for shipyard hazards.

4)      How much will dry-dock upgrades cost? Approx. $100 million

5)      Why is USS Bonhomme Richard dry-docked, why do ships have to go through dry-dock?

The dry-docking process is necessary because all ships must undergo periodic maintenance that cannot be performed while at-sea, such as hull preservation. These repairs are necessary to keep U.S. Navy ships in top shape to support any maritime strategy or presence they may called upon to undertake.

     

If you have questions about BHR post them here or email PAO@lhd6.navy.mil

Drydock Diaries -- Weather and Work

For all of you who think San Diego is all fun in the sun, check out this CNN story regarding the weather this week.  It's miserable out there.  I don't know how much rain fell during the night, but it's still coming down and with no relief in sight.

For our watchstanders, particularly up on the flight deck, wet weather gear is the order of the day, and while it's not cold, it certainly is not the best of days to be on duty up there.  They are earning their pay today.

Drydock activity continues, with the ship in more of a state of disarray now than ever before, however, work moves along.  Hull blasting is scheduled to start tomorrow and then, after the holidays, real nitty gritty work begins.  We have a long way to go before April when our drydock period ends, but we'll make it.

(For photos of dry-dock -- and this wild weather -- go here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150113203875522&set=a.10150101704820522.305400.66235165521#!/album.php?fbid=10150101704820522&id=66235165521&aid=305400)

Drydock Diaries – In the Yard During Holiday Stand Down

For the crew of Bonhomme Richard, this holiday season is one at home, amongst family and friends.  Work is slowed, not halted, with normal duty sections in place so the ship is not alone, but watched over during its refit.  With our “deadstick” move completed, the ship is now up on blocks, much like a car in a garage on a lift getting a very severe oil change. 

Many of the systems aboard will be upgraded, replaced, removed or refitted.  Imagine you have a car built in model year 1993.  One day you get a recall letter in the mail saying your car is due for maintenance.  Upon bringing it to the dealer, they say in a week it will be ready.  One week later, you come back to the garage finding your engine replaced, new tires, a brand new paint job, completely new interior, upgraded sound system, new features added and the mechanics tell you they’ve been driving it for the past two days to make sure everything is up to speed before giving it back to you.  That’s what’s happening to Bonhomme Richard right now. 

Upon completion of the yard period sometime in the spring, sea trials will test the ship’s ability to perform all of her necessary missions.  For the crew, this means getting underway for short periods, testing old systems, training up on new ones, and getting reacquainted with the ship in general.  Whatever does not pass muster is noted and resubmitted for further work. 

Ultimately, the goal is bringing a refitted ship over to Japan sometime next year, where the crew of Bonhomme Richard and USS Essex (LHD 2) will swap hulls, and Essex will enter her own yard period, undergoing the exact same process Bonhomme Richard is doing now. 

It’s a daunting task for both crews, and one of few perks.  Life in the yards is not pretty.  It’s often loud, clangy, dirty and noisy.  It’s long days, sometimes weekends, and not leaving until that days tasks are completed because tomorrow brings new goals and challenges that must be completed before the process can move forward.

For now, Bonhomme Richard is undergoing major surgery with a very large knife.  The crew is enjoying some well earned holiday stand down time and moving closer each day to bringing the ship out of the yards and back to the fleet. 

wsRadio -- How many gallons of paint are we using during Bonhomme Richard's dry-dock period?

Gary Robbins, UT reporter and host of wsRadio show "Science and Defense" interviewed Chief Joe Kane, public affairs chief for USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) about the ongoing dry-dock and maintenance being done on amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).

There are two segments available here: 
http://filesource.abacast.com/wsradio/scienceanddefenseradio/121310/segment1121310.mp3


And here: http://filesource.abacast.com/wsradio/scienceanddefenseradio/121310/segment2121310.mp3

Cheers,
MCC

Dry Dock Diaries -- About our Ship and and "the yard"

Welcome to USS Bonhomme Richard(LHD6), currently in drydock at NASSCO Shipyards in San Diego.  This is a long and arduous process, remaking the ship from the bottom up.  All of the ships crew is involved as well as contractors and other service personnel intent on keeping this ship the pride of the waterfront and in top shape for whatever future missions may come its way. 

A little knowledge about the ship itself, Bonhomme Richard is named forthe famous naval Captain John Paul Jones.  During a battle with HMS Serapis on Sep. 23, 1779, Jones and his crew, their ship crippled, outnumbered and facing desperate odds, issued the famous quote, “I’ve not yet begun to fight,” when the enemy asked if he was ready to strike his colors.  The remark spurred the crew onto victory in the battle and for Jones and Bonhomme Richard, immortality in Navy lore.

Today’s Bonhomme Richard, steeped in rich history, is a much different vessel, in a much different Navy.  LHD 6 is an amphibious assault ship crewed by more than 3,000 Marines and Sailors when fully loaded. She carries two Rolling Air Frame missile launchers, two NATO Sea Sparrow missile launchers, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts, four .50 caliber machine guns, three 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns, along with 4 CH-53 Sea Stallions helicopters and other assorted aircraft.  What the waterfront refers to as a “gator freighter,” others see as aid in a humanitarian crisis, or a whole lot of bad news coming their way.  Forward from the sea is a Navy term used describing power projection from the sea to the shore, and that’s a primary mission of Bonhomme Richard.

While that may be impressive, awesome, fear inspiring, etc., life in the yards is not glamorous.  This is where the dirty work is done, and where the ship is brought back to life, upgraded in systems and technology refitted for new missions, adding to their already impressive capability. 

We are on “the barge,” which is exactly what it sounds like; temporary office and berthing space aboard a barge located next to the ship.  BHR, “the ship” as we know it, is currently a mess.  With “yardbirds” fully engaged, any space in the ship can be found in a state of disrepair, mid-repair or no longer there.  She is being ripped open, stripped down, repainted, upgraded and brought around.  Imagine remodeling your house by moving to the storage shed outback with your whole family, and then watching a crew of folks completely rip it down to the bones and build it back new the way you’ve designed it.  That’s what’s happening to our ship right now.  

Yard work and time in drydock is a long and involved process requiring hundreds of hours of maintenance, refitting, testing, and inspecting.  It’s learning to live, work and fight as a team, get along, and in the process get to know each other.  It’s life in the Navy and aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. 

LHD 8 and LHD 6

Getting ready to refurbish USS Bonhomme Richard!

http://www.facebook.com/ussbhr?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=1565391007539