The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Serious oil leaks have sent the amphibious ship San Antonio to a shipyard in Bahrain for at least two weeks of repairs, interrupting the ship's maiden deployment.
The landing platform dock ship went into the yard last week so engineers and workers can assess and fix the problems, said Pat Dolan, spokeswoman for Naval Sea Systems command in Washington.
About 30 civilian and military personnel from Norfolk Naval Shipyard have flown to Bahrain to conduct tests and perform repairs, she said. Material for repairs is being shipped overseas.
Dolan said it is uncommon for a ship to need major repairs during a deployment. The San Antonio's problems posed a serious threat to the crew's safety because flammable oil was leaking in open spaces, she said, adding, "It really was necessary to do this."
The ship is the first in the Navy's new LPD-17 class of landing platform docks. It was delivered to the Navy late and about $800 million over budget. Poor initial workmanship has led to extended periods in the shipyard, and the vessel failed to make it out to sea during one crucial test.
The San Antonio left Norfolk for the Middle East in August with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group. Leaks were discovered on Oct. 9 and 17 in the pipes that deliver lubricating oil to the ship's four diesel engines, Dolan said. No sailors were injured.
Engineers will investigate whether the pipes need more support to prevent them from sagging, she said. They haven't determined the cause of the leaks.
In a July 2005 report, Navy inspectors found problems in nearly every system of the ship. They found faulty valves regulating lube oil temperatures, which prevented the ship from steaming at full power for prolonged periods.
The ship's ongoing problems led Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter to write Northrop Grumman Corp. Chairman Ronald Sugar in June 2007 to complain that "by taking delivery of incomplete ships with serious quality problems, the Fleet has suffered unacceptable delays in obtaining deployable assets."
The Navy will pay for the current repairs, Dolan said. The Navy does not have a cost estimate, she said.
Richard Whalen, a retired Navy captain and director of military activities at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, said oil leaks are not uncommon on surface ships. He has been on board the San Antonio and said the Navy would not have sent it out on deployment if it was not ready.
"These are complex machines, and they're run hard," said Whalen, who commanded a cruiser. When repairs are needed, he said, "you stop and you fix them."
Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com
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The same thing has happened
The same thing has happened in the shipyard industry as the American financial industry. Fat cats sitting back pointing fingers, passing the buck and waiting for payday to sock away their high salaries. Until industry in this country as a whole starts buckling down we will see ships falling apart, cars that can not meet gas mileage standards and fat cats getting rich from the government bailouts. Ok, Obama, you talked a good talk, walk the walk and clean up this mess.
Taken for a ride
The saga of the San Antonio is a clear lesson of what happens when a company is given a blank check for something with no consequences for when they make mistakes. This calls for some serious overhauling of military procurement programs.
A 25% reduction in military budget spending
Should start immediately with Northrop Grummon Ship Systems (formerly known as Ingalls Shipbuilding) in Pascagoula, Mississippi. That government contract(or) needs to be fired immediately. They've cost this country billions and we've gotten absolutely nothing of value in return for our tax dollars.
supship
Start by blaming supship code 300 for completely overlooking all the poor craftmanship that is in complete violation of NSTM and GSO. Code 300 supship are mostly idiots who dont have clue at what they are looking at. Its so blatant I swear they are all getting their pockets lined.
"It really was necessary to do this" ??? Spokesperson bull....
Wow, that really explains it to the American people and to the families of those serving on the SAN ANTONIO, doesn't it? The Obama administration should conduct a top to bottom review of the Naval Sea Systems Command for this--it is unacceptable that a ship should suffer such a failure, particularly after its shake-down cruises. After that's complete, top Navy leadership needs to get the same review, including all of those who were involved with the SAN ANTONIO fiasco from start to finish and pulling people out of retirement and taking legal action if appropriate. Senator Webb--you need to step up on this, too.
New navy
Navy's more worried about social programs than it's hardware. No leadership out there anymore. Warm bodies wandering around the passaways till liberty call.
Lowest Bidder !
Explains it all!
A regular POS...
I hear there is another LPD-17 class drydocked at the old Norchipco plant.....someone needs to be keelhauled for this mess.....!!!!!