The US Navy’s Military Sealift Command has awarded Vigor Marine a $14 million contract for the overhaul and dry docking of dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10).
During the 47-calendar day shipyard availability, Vigor will be furnishing general services for the ship, forward aqueous fire-fighting foam system piping replacement, docking and un-docking vessel, propeller shaft and stern tube inspection, underwater hull cleaning and painting, freeboard cleaning and painting, freshwater stern tube lubrication system installation, and flight deck nonskid renewal.
The overhaul will take place in Portland, Oregon (beginning March 28, 2018), and is expected to be completed by May 13, 2018.
The last time USNS Charles Drew stayed at Vigor Marine’s shipyard in 2015, the ship was dry-docked in ‘Vigorous’, the largest dry dock in North America.
USNS Charles Drew was delivered to the US Military Sealift Command in July 2010 as the 10th ship in the class. It operates in the Pacific resupplying US 3rd and 7th Fleet ships.
The 14 T-AKEs in service operate as part of MSC’s combat logistics force – allowing navy ships to stay at sea, on station and combat ready for extended periods of time.