ABSTRACTThe shipboard energy conservation assist team (SECAT) program was introduced to the US Pacific Surface Fleet (SURFPAC) in 1983 following one year testing in the US Atlantic Surface Fleet (SURFLANT). Experiences aboard SURFLANT ships had provided the basis for improvements which could also be applied to SURFPAC ships. Chief among these improvements were simple fuel measurement, fuel curve development methods, an energy survey checklist, and an equipment status board which identifies economic machinery alignments.The first SURFPAC ship to receive a SECAT visit was a FF‐1052 class ship. Fuel consumption was significantly higher on this ship than the six FF‐1052/1078 class SURFLANT ships previously visited. SECAT immediately looked for reasons for this increase in fuel consumption. Three significant changes received by this ship and not received by the six SURFLANT ships were identified. They were a new design economizer, Navjet vice Wallsend burners, and removal of overload control valves on the forced draft blowers. Another SURFPAC frigate with the same three changes was visited to validate the results obtained from the first ship.This paper discusses recent improvements to the SECAT program. It also examines the differences in fuel consumption observed between SURFLANT and SURFPAC FF‐1052/1078 class ships. The economics of potential solutions to the higher fuel consumption problem aboard SURFPAC ships is analyzed with special emphasis on alternative burner designs and forced draft blower changes. Recommendations are made to reduce fuel consumption both by equipment changes and expanded energy initiatives.