Navy Closes 4 Puget Sound Submarine Dry Docks Following Earthquake Risk Study

[rangerrebew]

Navy Closes 4 Puget Sound Submarine Dry Docks Following Earthquake Risk Study
By: Sam LaGrone and Mallory Shelbourne
January 27, 2023 2:25 PM


The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN-717) arrives at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a port visit in January 2017. US Navy photo.

Four dry docks the Navy uses to overhaul nuclear submarines in Washington are temporarily closed after the service found they are at risk for earthquake damage, service officials told USNI News on Thursday.

The dry docks, three at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash., and the delta pier at the Trident Refit Facility in Bangor, Wash., are still certified to overhaul nuclear submarines, but the Navy has decided to keep the dry docks empty pending further investigation.

“The seismic assessment and expert validation enhances the Navy’s knowledge of the potential issues associated with a large earthquake occurring during a submarine maintenance availability,” reads a statement from the service.

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/27/navy-closes-4-puget-sound-submarine-dry-docks-following-earthquake-risk-study

[rangerrebew]

They close Washington bases but leave all the California bases sitting on the San Andreas fault open?  This makes no sense.  It smacks more of downsizing with a contrived excuse so the people in Washington won't complain as much.