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MAINTAINING A U.S. NAVY SHIP IS A CONSTANT BUT NECESSARY PROCESS AND SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE
CAN’T BE PERFORMED PEIRSIDE. SOMETIMES, WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN
WHAT THE NAVY CALLS A DRYDOCK PERIOD.
"THE DRYDOCK PERIOD REALLY ACCOMPLISHES TWO THINGS. ONE, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH COMPLEX MAINTENANCE
AND UPGRADES THAT NORMALLY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WHILE THE SHIP IS IN THE WATER. FOR EXAMPLE,
YOU CAN’T PAINT THE RUDDERS WHILE THEY’RE UNDER WATER. ALSO, THIS ALLOWS THE SAILORS
TO REALLY OPEN UP THEIR SYSTEMS AND GET FAMILIAR WITH HOW THEY’RE PUT TOGETHER AND HOW THEY
WORK."
WITH A LOT OF THE MAINTENANCE TAKING PLACE ON THE WEATHERDECKS, THE BOATSWAIN’S MATES
ARE TRULY GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT.
"WELL, BEING IN DRYDOCK IS ONE OF THOSE SPOTS WHERE, WHERE YOU WANT TO BE AT IS A BM. YOU’RE
IN YOUR RATE, YOU’RE IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT. YOU’RE DEALING WITH PAINT, TOOLS, AIR FITTING,
PRIMER, GRINDING AWAY, YOU’RE LEARNING YOUR JOB. WHAT’S IN THAT BM MANUAL YOU’RE LEARNING
HANDS ON, ON THE SHIP."
YOKOSUKA’S SHIP REPAIR FACILITY JAPAN REGIONAL MAINTENANCE CENTER ALSO PLAYS A BIG PART DURING
THESE DRYDOCK PERIODS.
"THIS FACILITY IS ONE OF THE PREMIER SHIP MAINTENANCE FACILITIES IN THE WORLD, AND WE
ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO COME IN HERE. PERIODICALLY COME OUT OF OUR OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE
AND GET COMPLEX MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES COMPLETED."
IN ORDER TO GO FROM DRYDOCK TO MISSION READY THESE WORKERS KNOW TEAMWORK IS KEY.
"EVERYBODY ON THE SHIP SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED THIS. MISSION READY IS NUMBER
ONE AND WE UNDERSTAND THE NAVY NEEDS."
PETTY OFFICER BRIAN M. BROOKS, YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, JAPAN.