Sounds of the shipyard

Hello, it's been a while.  As BHR continues it's maintenance period in the yard, it occurred to me the other day what a plethora of sounds exists in our current environment.  A trip from the gate to the ship, a distance of about 500 yards, varies from quiet tranquility to the deafening noise of metal grinding or compressed air being released.  Experience it for yourself.
Posted by MC1(SW) Kurt Riggs, BHR Public Affairs

Dry-dock view of the Coronado Bridge

After I finished my 1600-2000 (4-8 pm) Officer of the Deck Watch on the quarterdeck of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) I stopped on the top of the NASSCO dry-dock and took this shot of the Coronado Bridge.  I converted to black and white afterward.  This is a 20 second exposure with a 400 ISO.

 

Cheers!
MCC Joe Kane

What a Sailor Sees...

Some photos from the past few weeks here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=155997891119481&saved#!/video/video.php?v=155997891119481&oid=66235165521&comments

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