Photo By Harrison Cox | VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A contractor from Code 264 (Diesel Engine Inspectors) performs...... read more read more
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Dec. 6, after completing sea trials to ensure the engines recently overhauled by Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC)’s Engineering and Production departments were in working order.
The overhaul became necessary after routine inspections and monitoring revealed that key engine parts needed replacement due to wear and tear. The Fleet Diesel Engine Inspector’s proactive monitoring, combined with the Ship’s Force, NSWC Medium-Speed Life Cycle Engineering Agent and MARMC maintenance team efforts, ensured potential engine issues were swiftly detected and immediately addressed to avoid disruptions to the landing ship, dock’s (LSD) operational capabilities.
“The SSDGs [Ship Service Diesel Generators] are receiving power assembly replacement of the engine’s 12-cylinder liners,” said Diesel Engines Branch Head David Alexander during the repair availability. “We’re also replacing the upper and lower pistons and rings, main bearings and thrust bearings; conducting flow calibration; and testing the engine’s 24 installed high-pressure fuel oil pumps and associated fuel oil nozzles.”
This is the first time since 2018 that personnel from Code 264 (Diesel Engine Inspectors) and Code 931 (Engines) accomplished an engine overhaul without a local shipyard’s involvement in the repair.
“SSDGs onboard LSD-class ships require engine overhauls after 9,000 to 11,000 hours of loaded operation,” said Alexander. “MPDEs [Main Propulsion Diesel Engines] onboard LSD-class ships require overhaul every 16,000 to 20,000 hours of loaded operation.”
Contractor Ivan “Scott” Bannon, lead diesel engine inspector for USS Gunston Hall, worked side-by-side with Machinist Mates to teach them how to conduct the repair. The project provided valuable hands-on experience for junior Sailors in overhaul procedures that are typically conducted at depots.
“Coordination between MARMC Code 900 (Production) Sailors and their civilian counterparts, with MARMC Code 264 Fleet Diesel Engine Inspectors, is crucial to the overall management and success of major engine repairs normally accomplished at the depot level within the limited timeframe of the ship’s pier-side maintenance availability window,” said Alexander.
“We’re proving to the Navy that this repair can be done by Sailors,” added Bannon. “We want to give the experience to the junior Sailors that they need.”
The diesel engine overhaul of USS Gunston Hall highlights MARMC's capabilities in conducting major ship maintenance and training Sailors. MARMC has an essential role in keeping naval vessels deployment-ready through expert maintenance and hands-on training for Sailors.
“I watched Senior Chief Petty Officer Ewsuk lead and train our Sailors, lead our Enginemen through a complex diesel engine overhaul onboard USS Gunston Hall,” said Capt. Jay Young, MARMC commanding officer. “Senior Chief Ewsuk is leading by example to execute the mission while teaching his Sailors a critical skill that they will use throughout their careers in our Navy.”
The project was completed within its planned, nine-week duration, and was followed by two weeks of operational testing. The diesel engine repairs production ended on Oct. 20, and the vessel’s Continuous Maintenance Availability ended on Nov. 17.
Code 200 provides engineering and technical services in support of Fleet Readiness for all ships, submarines, and aircraft carriers under the purview of MARMC. The department is responsible for readiness assessment coordination, quality assurance compliance, engineering and technical services, metrology calibration and the Miniature/Microminiature Electronics Repair facility certification, technical documentation management, and program management across the MARMC area of responsibility.
MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private-sector maintenance, and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2024 10:22 |
| Story ID: | 459820 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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