USS Makin Island Completes Sea Trials

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) completed a nine-day scheduled sea trials on Jan. 17, after coming out of a 13-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA).

USS Makin Island Completes Sea Trials

During the nine-day underway period, Makin Island crew members tested a number of shipboard systems, including communication circuits, damage control systems, navigation systems and propulsion plant. The crew also conducted full-power runs of the ship, ballasting demonstrations and flight operations.

Sea trials gave the ship an opportunity to operate and test equipment as designed following a lengthy maintenance period. It was also a chance to see if the repairs were done correctly,” according to Capt. Alvin Holsey, Makin Island’s commanding officer.

Inspectors observed Makin Island crew members as they conducted in-port and at-sea demonstrations and checks, of critical shipboard systems.

Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy using a hybrid-electric propulsion system. By using this unique propulsion system, the Navy expects over the course of the ship’s lifecycle, to see fuel savings of more than $250 million, proving the Navy’s commitment to energy awareness and conservation.

The ship’s hybrid-electric propulsion system is designed to run on auxiliary propulsion motors at low speeds and on gas turbines at higher speeds. This technology allows the Department of the Navy to reduce the use of fossil fuels that leads to reduced carbon emissions and cleaner air.

 

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Press Release, January 22, 2014