Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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LEFT: Rising water covers one of NIMITZ' starboard screws during the undocking evolution. BELOW: NIMITZ is pulled from Drydock Six, ending the drydock portion of the overhaul, on its way to Pier Three for the finishing touches of DSRA. I Float ! IMITZ Returns to water after 8-months on blocks USS NIMITZ returned to the water Saturday, March 3, 1990. Soon after NIMITZ was refloated, tugboats towed it to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's Pier Three. The entire undocking process involved more than just putting water in the empty dry dock and moving the ship. Preparations began two weeks in advance, when tanks and voids were sounded. These tanks were sounded again within 24 hours of the dry dock flooding to test for leaks. Weight reports submitted by all departments had to be used to make the weight distribution as close as possible to when the ship was docked. All gear weighing more than 1,000 pounds had to be returned to its original location at time of docking. On March 1, 1990, the dry dock was inspe ed for debris. The ship's extema hull fittings were given a final check to ensure that they were in proper condition. Then, the dry dock was partially flocfied. lf While Dry Dock Six was being partially filled, the second deck repair lockers were manned and in communication with Damage Control Central. Meanwhile the hull was being inspected for leaks and cracks and all hull valves were being monitored for leakage. On Saturday morning, with electrical power supplied by the ship's emergency diesel generators, shore services were disconnected. At 6 a.m. the special sea and anchor details were set, and the second deck repair lockersagain were manned and made ready for the flooding of the dry dock to resume. Shortly after 8 a.m. with flooding complete, the next step was to float the large caisson Cwater tight gatej. As soon as the caisson was moved aside, NIMIT Z began to move. First with winches, then with the aid of tugboats, the canier was pulled out of dry dock. At 9:25 a.m the ship was underway for the first time in months. About 55 minutes later, after being turned around and moved to Pier Three, the lines were shot to the pier and NIMITZ was moored. 25

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overhauled in Dry Dock Six behind them, CAPT Robert C. Williamson relieved CAPT Brent M. Bennitt as NIMITZ' Commanding Officer, Sept. 16, 1989. The change of command ceremony took place outside the industrial area, on Pier BRAVO. Q- rmeam-.,.g- m-v1-- .myasqy-,,.g--,......,..,,.--K..,..-.,,-.......-f. . 7,.,f ,, ,, CAPT Williamson take New skipper takes over during overhaul With NIMITZ being the midst of a maj or maintenance and repair availability where a commanding officer faces his most difficult challenges. He must sort through the multitudes of ambigu- ous information, try to distinguish between what is real and what is perceived, determine the actual forces, men and material that are In his first address to the available Cand in time of war the crew, CAPT Williamson said, I am other side's as welll, decide on the vividly reminded by the scene best course of action to pursue from behind me, it's not just in the fog amongst the many alternatives and clamor of combat, but also in presented and finally communicate s the helm j desired actions so the job gets done with minimal losses in time of war and no losses in peacetime. For me, the challenge is i clear, my charter understood and the issue straightforward. The time is right to re-evaluate why we are T where we are with respect to our objectives and to decide where we want to be and begin to move in that direction. The fact of the matter is, whether in the yard or on the high seas, our business is inherently unsafe. Danger lurks wherever we go,iwaiting to pounce on the unwary, the complacent, the unprofessional. It is my goal to try A : W' ' ' . . BOVE ith NIMITZ In the dry dock behlfld them, CAPT Robert C. Williamson is greeted by CAPT Brent M. Bennitt prior to NIMITZ' Change of Command Ceremony, Sept. 16, 1989, I t