Amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) departed BAE Systems Shipyard for Naval Base San Diego after a five-month planned maintenance availability (PMA), Dec. 3.
The “Big Easy” spent the summer and fall undergoing an extensive maintenance period, receiving more than $16 million in repairs and upgrades to equipment and systems throughout the ship.
This availability period provided the opportunity to do extensive work on major systems not otherwise possible when the ship is in an operational status.
Other major projects completed during the 2014 PMA include software upgrades and repairs to the stern gate.
Ship’s force established several Tiger Teams responsible for painting and the installation of lagging and deck coverings. The crew took it upon themselves to incorporate the ship’s namesake when refurbishing highly trafficked spaces.
The ship used three tugs for the two-mile transit through San Diego Harbor. Although out of the shipyards, the ship still has two more months of planned maintenance before beginning light-off assessment and sea trials.
Light-off assessment will ensure engineers can safely start and operate the plant. The planned events will include a program management review to ensure the ship is in accordance with all governing documents and a safety walk-through to make sure the material readiness of the main spaces can support the safe light off for sea trials.
Press release, Image: US Navy