The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) returned to the fleet Feb. 4, after completing a year-long Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA) at General Dynamics NASSCO Norfolk, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) provided oversight of the availability, which included extensive work on the main propulsion diesel engines (MPDEs) and ship’s service diesel generators (SSDGs), installation of new galley equipment, and various other upgrades and new installations.

“It was a grueling availability, and we had quite a few obstacles,” said Project Manager Mike Conley. “We had trouble getting the parts we needed to get started in the beginning. We had to look at what parts we did have and what we could repair. It was challenging, but we kept it together and got it done. The ship did extremely well during Light-Off Assessment and Sea Trials.”

The PMA, which began in January last year, was extended due to logistical issues and work that was discovered during maintenance.  

“We had a couple of small extensions due to parts (acquisitions) and some growth work on a few items, but we got a lot of good work done on the ship,” said Lead Shipbuilding Specialist (SBS) Pat Holden. “We pounded the ship’s deck plates a lot and if we saw someone doing anything wrong we corrected it. Everybody had their own area of expertise and the team was phenomenal.”

Conley said one of the keys to successfully completing the availability was maintaining good communication between everyone; including ship’s force (S/F), the contractors and Navy leaders as well.

“There was a lot of positive communication between the expanded maintenance team,” said Conley. “S/F played a big role because they had to put all the systems back in play and get everything back together. All the outside stakeholders (Expeditionary Strike Group 2, the Amphibious Squadron), when we had to put in for an extension, we explained we’re going to need this much time and they were onboard with us the whole time.”

While they’re relieved to complete the PMA, the maintenance team knows there is still work left to do to get the ship operationally ready.

“It’s one quick breath,” said Quality Assurance Specialist Ron Harper. “You take a breather now, but then you have to get ready for the next challenge.”    

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