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Naval Forces
Navy Probes Commercial Ship Operators for Repair Tips
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By Grace V. Jean
In its quest to preserve and prolong the life of its surface ships, the Navy is seeking to take advantage of technologies and practices resident in the commercial shipping world.
Navy officials have held discussions with Honeywell, which provides distance support and parts management for the aircraft industry, and with Maersk, a global shipping firm.
“I firmly believe that industry has initiatives … in technology and management that I want to take full advantage of,” says Rear Adm. James McManamon, deputy commander for surface warfare at Naval Sea Systems Command.
Commercial companies employ sensors and other remote monitoring systems to track problems aboard ships and aircraft. Repair information is relayed to logistics support facilities that send parts so that crews can fix them as quickly as possible.
Newer vessels, such as the littoral combat ship, are being equipped with similar computers that monitor the health of shipboard systems and manage distance support.
The Navy recently implemented the use of a new single-coat paint that helps prevent corrosion on ships. McManamon says the service is looking at sensors to remotely monitor hulls and voids that have been coated with the new paint. It also will reinvigorate its corrosion control van program — a shore-based repair vehicle that pulls alongside vessels at the pier — to help ships prepare for their inspections.
To integrate distance support, logistics, engineering and training for all surface ships, a new division, a deputy for readiness, is being created in his office, McManamon says.
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