Ship sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Asher (middle) authenticated keel of future USS Point Loma
Austal USA has celebrated the official begin of development of the long run USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) with a keel laying ceremony at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard. Ship sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Asher, with the help of Perry Sullivan, a 17-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials right into a keel plate that shall be welded to the hull of the ship.
The future USNS Point Loma is the second EPF Flight II ship constructed by Austal USA in Mobile. EPF Flight II gives a Role 2E (enhanced) medical functionality which incorporates, amongst different capabilities, fundamental secondary well being care constructed round major surgical procedure; intensive care unit; ward beds; and restricted X-ray, laboratory and dental assist. The EPF’s catamaran design provides inherent stability to enable surgeons to carry out underway medical procedures within the ship’s working suite.
Enhanced capabilities to assist V-22 flight operations and launch and get better 11 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats complement the ship’s medical amenities. These Flight II upgrades together with EPF’s pace, maneuverability and shallow water entry are key enablers for mission assist of future distributed maritime operations and expeditionary superior base operations world wide. Flight II retains the potential of the Flight I to assist different missions together with core logistics missions.
The future USNS Point Loma is one in every of two EPF Flight II ships underneath development at Austal USA with a 3rd underneath contract. EPF Flight II ships will increase the long run Expeditionary Medical Ships which shall be able to complete, multidisciplinary hospital operations.
Keel laying is the formal recognition of the beginning of a ship’s development. At Austal USA, the keel laying symbolically acknowledges module erection in closing meeting and the ceremonial starting of a ship.
“The keel laying is the beginning of a ship’s journey, and we look forward to the many milestones ahead,” mentioned Tim Roberts, program supervisor on the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift . “EPF 15 will build on the capabilities established by the Flight I configuration, providing a wide variety of mission tools, when and where our fleet needs support.”
“Austal USA is proud of the work our shipbuilders have done to bring us to this milestone,” mentioned Dave Growden, vp of latest development at Austal USA. “With each ship we deliver in the EPF program, we realize how far we have advanced since the delivery of the first and how strong our commitment is to provide the Navy with superior capability on-budget and on-schedule.”
The future USNS Point Loma is called after the San Diego seaside neighborhood which has a long-standing naval presence and is residence to Naval Base Point Loma. EPF 15 is the second naval vessel to bear this identify.
