THE MANAGEMENT OF SURFACE SHIP MAINTENANCE

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the paper is to address the current dilemma facing the Surface Ship Navy as it approaches the twenty‐first century. The basic underlying thesis is that the Maintenance Community has lost sight of the goal it must have: to support the Commanding Officer of a ship to get his ship from point A to point B with its weapons system ready. To do this, three basic things must occur: 1) the ship must be capable of getting underway and steaming (i.e., turn the screw); 2) the ship must have its weapons systems working and “up” in all respects (i.e., fight the ship); and 3) the Crew must be prepared (i.e., have sufficient training).It Is submitted that we have lost sight of this fact. There remains an inordinate amount of concern over appearance (external and internal), habitability, plaques, inspections, and various human factors programs, and funds may be spent in there areas when the main machinery plant and missile systems are “down.” A recent example is the effort to remove every speck of wood from all Navy ships including picture frames.Training is addressed also as the third key element missing, particularly in the main machinery spaces.A brief examination is made of the ship cycle as it gas into the maintenance mode, i.e., delivery plus one to two years. A comparison is made with the basic Submarine Force approach to this problem and when the Surface Community may take a page out of the Submarine Force book. An addressed are: 1) Current Ship's Maintenance Project (CSMP); 2) Planned Maintenance System (PMS); 3) Pre‐Overhaul Test and Inspection (POT&I); 4) Long lead time SHIPALT material, 5) Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) role (Tenders and SIMAS); and 6) Shipyard role and facilities.