ROH at Palumbo Shipyard Malta was ESB4’s first within the European space of operations. [Photo: NAVSEA]
The Military Sealift Command’s Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) accomplished its first Regular Overhaul (ROH) within the European space of operations on the Palumbo Shipyard Malta, July 25, 2023.
The Palumbo Shipyard is operated by Italy’s Palumbo Group in a joint venture with MSC Cruises.
NAVSEA notes that ROHs are routine, deliberate upkeep intervals offering mandatory repairs, upkeep and modernization for the ship to function at full technical capability and mission functionality for its total designed service life. It says that conducting vital depot-level upkeep in a forward-deployed atmosphere requires strong partnerships with the host nation and upkeep suppliers and that the technical experience and enormous upkeep workforce on Malta offered a central location with vital functionality, together with drydocking the 71,000-ton ship.
“Even though it was our first ROH in the European theater, our project team together with our industry partner deftly executed maintenance on critical areas of Hershel Woody Williams,” stated Capt. Brian Karosich, commanding officer of NAVSEA’s Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC).“With the ship continually deployed, keeping areas such as its expansive flight deck and mission deck safe and fully functional is paramount to its diverse operations throughout Africa.”
Hershel “Woody” Williams is forward-deployed to Souda Bay, Greece and serves as the primary U.S. Navy ship assigned to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) space of duty. The ship is able to conducting expeditionary missions, counter piracy, maritime safety, and humanitarian and catastrophe aid operations. It operates with blue and gold crews, permitting it to stay frequently deployed all through AFRICOM.
Although a Military Sealift Command (MSC) ship, FDRMC maintains U.S. Navy buildings and programs aboard Hershel “Woody” Williams. During the ROH at Palumbo Shipyard Malta, FDRMC’s challenge workforce oversaw work to switch coatings on the 52,000 square-foot flight deck and 25,000 square-foot mission deck. The workforce additionally preserved different important areas of the ship, such because the mast and ahead deckhouse.
MSC oversaw extra vital upkeep and modernization that ensured the ship met ABS requirements and remained secure to function for the hybrid crew of navy personnel and MSC civil service mariners. Work accomplished included cleansing and preserving the ship’s hull and overhaul of important gear such because the diesel engine, water distilling plant and air con items.
