USS Carter Hall’s Two Main Propulsion Engines Overhauled at NSSA

Norfolk Ship Support Activity (NSSA) completed an overhaul on USS Carter Hall’s (LSD 50) two main propulsion diesel engines using new Enhanced Process Control Procedures (EPCPs) as part of the ship’s maintenance availability.

The ship was the first to undergo maintenance using EPCPs, a Naval Sea Systems Command initiative to improve maintenance practices and gather objective material evidence of main engine repairs

“By using this new procedure, we have greater assurance that diesel engines will operate at full capacity after an overhaul,” said Cmdr. Andy Johnson, NSSA’s Aircraft Carrier/Amphibious Ship division head.

Using the new procedure, technicians working on the engines are provided with a technical work document that establishes the appropriate maintenance practices and sequences for correctly overhauling the engine. This means that the work was conducted more methodically than previous methods of overhaul.

“The use of EPCPs underscores our focus to invoke a permanent shift in our workforce’s culture that will result in first time quality for every ship, during every availability,” said Rear Adm. Dave Gale, commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers.

Sea trials on USS Carter Hall confirmed the work was completed correctly, and both engines completed their break in period in five days, nearly half the time normally required.

“There is high confidence that both of these overhauled engines will be able to meet their service life expectations without major issue resulting from the rigid overhaul procedures and quality inherent in the EPCP process,” said Johnson.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, June 1, 2012; Image: navsea