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Navy Overhaul — Update (continued from page 16) Homeport Policy House/Senate conferees on de- fense appropriations directed that Navy terminate its policy of reserv- ing 30 percent of ship overhauls to homeport yards: The conferees agree that current Navy policy with regard to home- port reservation does not recog- nize that ship maintenance and repair workload has, over the past several years, gradually increased the proportion being accom- plished during Selected Re- stricted Availabilities (SRA) as opposed to during major over- hauls. While this change toward SRAs is beneficial for operational requirements, and is cost-effec- tive, the practice of allocating 100% of SRA workload to home- port areas and also continuing to reserve a minimum of 30% of the ship overhauls for these same homeports ignores the long-term adverse impact on the mobiliza- tion capability of critical non- homeport private shipyards. The conferees therefore agree that the Navy may reserve SRAs for homeport areas, but direct that the reservation of an arbitrary 30% of ship overhauls be termi- nated. However, to minimize the disruptive impact on Navy fami- lies associated with overhauls, up to 2 overhauls may be reserved for a single homeport during any one fiscal year. Inasmuch as this is an item of congressional interest, no funds are available to deviate from this policy without submis- sion of a prior approval repro- gramming to the Committees on Appropriations. Master Repair Certification Appropriation conferees also di- rected strong language at ship re- pairers who rely on performing work alongside Navy piers: The conferees agree that private shipyards without access to non- Navy piers and drydocks are dis- ruptive to Navy operational re- quirements, contribute little to the industrial mobilization capa- bility of the United States, and should therefore be immediately decertified from receiving further Navy ship repair, alteration, and overhaul work. 2. INDUSTRY ACTIVITY Business continues to be de- pressed at most U.S. yards. Repair of commercial ships is impacted by the strong dollar. Lack of commer- cial construction and repair work has focused attention on the Navy overhaul market. Competition for available work is fierce. Braswell As a result of financial complica- tions with its lending group, Bras- well petitioned on 13 August for protection under Chapter XI of the Bankruptcy code. On 15 August the Bankruptcy Court of South Caro- lina granted Chapter XI protection. The court at that time made avail- able $4.2 million in operating funds. The firm is in the process of developing a reorganization plan. This plan will include phasing down operations in Hoboken and consoli- dating future New York area work in Bayonne. The firm is actively considering sale of the Hoboken site. Braswell continues to market its New York/New Jersey area ship re- pair capabilities. Drydocking for the current Navy contract is to be ac- complished in the 1052' Bayonne graving dock. Shops at the Hoboken yard continue to be used. (continued on page 22) 16 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News "Weride on the current." That's the crew's slogan for the all-electric U.S.S. Foster DD964. Now MECO is riding the current with the U.S.S. Foster and its crew. As part of the Navy Retro-Fit program to eliminate the ship's need for steam-driven auxiliaries, MECO was selected and awarded a Navy contract to design and build two Mil Spec 400 GPH, all-electric vapor compression distillers for the U.S.S. Foster. These units now furnish 100% of the ship's fresh water. © 1984, Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc. 109 Circle 102 on Reader Service Card This contract followed a suc- cessful evaluation test program conducted by the Navy on a MECO 400 GPH commercial marine design vapor compres- sion distiller aboard the U.S.S. Thorn DD988. Another Mil Spec unit was awarded and built which successfully completed operational and performance testing, and shock and vibration evaluations. As the world leader in pack- aged seawater conversion equipment, MECO can fill your needs for fresh water on the high seas. If you'd like to know more about our new line of marine products, call or write MECO, Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc., 861 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Phone (504) 523-7271. Telex: 058-377 or 460165. Cable MECO. MECO
