PSNS & IMF crew helps with emergent work on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

PSNS & IMF crew helps with emergent work on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

By Max Maxfield, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

A 12-person team from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility team travelled to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii to support the diagnoses and repair of potable water system, within two days of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) project team being notified of the problem. The work was performed between June 27 and July 12, 2024, spanning over the 4th of July holiday.

The team comprised of very experienced workers from Shop 99, Temporary Services, and Shop 11, Shipfitter, had to open, clean, disinfect and inspect a potable water tank to find the cause or source of organic foreign contaminates in tank.

DJ Ceralde, zone manager with the CVN 70 project team who travelled with the team, said Code 106, Environment, Safety and Health; and Code 250 Structural Engineering and Planning; from both PSNS & IMF and PHNS collaborated on environmental Safety and health concerns in conjunction with technical direction.

According to Frank Sepulveda, process general foreman, Shop 99, the problem with the tank posed a health hazard to the crew, and needed to be dealt with quickly and effectively.

"A Casualty Report for Vinson was needed due to the unknown organic foreign contaminates found in the potable water system from an unknown source, which were causing an IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) atmosphere at the tank," Sepulveda explained. "The tank's configuration also allowed hydrogen sulfide to escape the tank through a vent line into a normally occupied passageway on the main deck. Ship's Force was forced to secure cross connections and use the potable water storage tank. They also had to install an emergency ventilation system to prevent toxic gas build up on the main deck."

The PSNS & IMF fly-away team included Ceralde, as well as a process general foreman, several general maintenance mechanics, an electrician, two pipefitters, and a gas-free technician. This group was able to overcome challenges to diagnose the problem and come up with a solution that should last until the next time the carrier is in homeport.

"They found a hole at the bottom of the bilge sump," Sepulveda said. "The air conditioning condenser water drains into the bilge. It would slowly drip into the tank through the hole. By the time the team finished, the tank was isolated and tagged out. It will be repaired and put back into use down the road when they have more time for repairs."

Sepulveda said the team faced a variety of challenges.

"Performing a tank opening with a potential IDLH atmosphere isn't simple, he said. "It must be opened in a non-nuclear glove bag. You have to install a life support vent in both the containment and in the space."

He said the mission was made more difficult due to the team's gear that was shipped from PSNS & IMF not arriving as quickly as they'd planned on. Pearl Harbor Shop 99 helped them work through this by providing gear, and an approved ventilation meter. Also, Lt. Cmdr. Greg Gibbons, the Reactor Maintenance officer, organized ship's force support for integration into the working team along with coordinating work controls.

"One of our own Shop 99 third level managers, Todd Howlett, was at Pearl Harbor by chance," said Sepulveda. "He helped us locate the Pearl Harbor Shop 99 facility and introduced us to our Pearl Harbor points of contact. Pearl Harbor Shop 99 was extremely helpful with logistics for us. They provided a muster area for the crew, and let us use their shop vehicles to transport our gear to and from Defense Logistics Agency storage."

They took the time to show us around the base," he said. "Special thanks to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Shop 99 Supervisor Iokepa Yost, and Shop 99 Work Leader Allen Chung. Without their help and assistance it would not have gone as smoothly as it did."

Sepulveda said he is proud of the way the team handled the mission, and comported themselves.

"All members of this team worked very well together," he said. "They helped each other from beginning to end. They were all true professionals and remained focused on the work, while also being good stewards and ambassadors representing Shop 11, Shop 99, and PSNS & IMF."

Ceralde credited how well all the shops and codes from both shipyards and ship's force worked together as a major contributor to the success of the mission.

"The ship and the maintenance providers have a growing mutual respect for one another, which was illustrated by the ship's willingness to reach out when there was a problem, and PSNS & IMF's quick and precise support when called on," Ceralde said.