The Cyclone-class coastal patrol ship USS Zephyr (PC 8) was lifted out of the water at Colonna’s Shipyard Aug. 8 to undergo a projected 347-day, dry-docking phased maintenance availability.
Throughout the course of the next year Zephyr will have extensive maintenance performed on the hull and several other areas of the ship.
Refurbishments and upgrades will be completed on the ship’s fin stabilizers, gearboxes, reverse osmosis units, anchor windlass, combat craft retrieval system, communications suite, and messing and berthing facilities.
Some of the ship’s crewmembers will take advantage of the time ashore to attend training courses, while others will work alongside shipyard workers to ensure Zephyr completes this dry-dock period as mission ready as possible.
This maintenance period will reset the ship’s service life and, upon completion, Zephyr will return to her homeport of Mayport, Fla. as part of Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet.
Patrol craft support maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the area of operations which includes South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters.