MSC/MARAD/GOVT/FMS PROJECTS

Detyens Awarded USNS Sirius

Detyens Shipyards, Inc. has received the award of the contract for dry docking and repair of the USNS SIRIUS (T-AFS-8) from the Military Sea lift Command. The Sirius is a combat stores ship and is part of the MSC’s Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. Built in England during the mid 1960s as part of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Sirius, along with sister ships, Spica and Saturn, were transferred to MSC during 1981-1983. These ships have been modernized to be able to conduct underway replenishment from five replenishment stations (two starboard and three port) as well as vertical replenishment with helicopters in support of operating forces by providing refrigerated stores, dry provisions, technical (including aviation) spares, general stores, fleet freight, personnel, mail and other items. The vessel is scheduled to arrive on July 14, 2004 to begin a sixty day, $4.5 million contract. It is expected that the ship will be in graving dock #1 for approximately twenty one days, during which time all routine underwater work will be accomplished. This will include removal of the propeller, shafting and rudder, as well as a complete paint job on the underwater hull, freeboard, and topside of the ship. The significant structural repairs will be accomplished in the areas of the high line and hauling winches foundations and decks, as well as in the cargo holds. Major machinery items, in addition to the underwater work, involve overhauls of the 5 and 10 ton cranes, anchor windlass, aft capstans, and the UNREP gear. Renewal of 300 feet of salt water suction and discharge pipe ranging from 6 to 16 diameter along with pipe renewals in the air conditioning, refrigeration, and bilge, and MSD systems, will keep the pip shop busy during the availability.

The Sirius will be the fourth ship awarded to Detyens from MSC since January of this year. Ships completed earlier in 2004 include the USNS Spica, USNS Grumman, and the ship currently ongoing, the USNS arctic