Divers are set to repair the amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) while the ship remains pierside at Naval Station San Diego, California. The Navy’s statement to USNI News clarified, “A series of inspections and assessments determined a waterborne repair is the most efficient way to execute maintenance and repairs.” Such a method is anticipated to allow the USS Boxer to resume deployment potentially by this summer.
The critical nature of this repair reflects the recent troubles with the Navy’s maintenance of its big deck fleet, particularly those powered by older steam boilers. Adm. Jim Kilby highlighted the challenge to the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee, noting that “big decks in particular with steam plants are having larger growth work than most of our ships and it’s a challenge because of the availability of parts, artisans, etc.”
Despite the ongoing technical difficulties, which have included negligent maintenance in the engineering department and a series of past failures with the ship’s forced draft fans and main reduction gear, the USS Boxer has been awarded for its performance, including the Battle Effectiveness Award and Maritime Warfare Excellence Award.
The current situation with the USS Boxer has significant operational repercussions. Gen. Eric M. Smith articulated to the House Armed Services Committee the strategic disadvantages of having the amphibious assault ship out of action: “When you lose your big-deck, you lose most of your aviation assets and you lose your crisis response force.” The USS Boxer serves as a pivotal platform for Marine Corps operations, affecting training and the deployment of aviation assets.
The Boxer’s issues are symptomatic of broader fleet maintenance challenges faced by the Navy. The preferred approach to repair the rudder without requiring dry docking comes amid limited availability of such facilities in San Diego. The Navy’s contingency plan involved possibly moving the ship to a different location for repairs, which would have presented its own set of challenges, including the need to remove part of the ship’s mast to navigate certain waterways.
As the repair efforts continue, the Navy is conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the rudder failure was due to “materials, parts or a faulty installation.” Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti informed a House committee that the repair could take four to six weeks and emphasized the importance of understanding whether the bearing was installed improperly or if there was a defect in the part itself.
According to a recent statement from Naval Surface Force to USNI News, the deployment of the Boxer could potentially occur “during the upcoming summer.” In March, the USS Boxer was honored with seven prestigious Navy-wide awards, which included the Battle Effectiveness Award and Maritime Warfare Excellence Award, recognizing its consistent and exceptional performance.
Relevant articles:
– USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 6, 2024, USNI, 05/07/2024
– Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer is out of action, and it’s a problem, top Marine Corps general says, Yahoo News UK, 05/04/2024