Navy identifies three vessels impacted by faulty shipyard weld work
By Leo Shane III and Geoff Ziezulewicz
Friday, Oct 4, 2024
A contractor welds a bulkhead of a catapult trough aboard the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis in the Newport News Shipyard in Virginia, on Feb. 1, 2023. (U.S. Navy)
Editor’s note: This report has been updated to include a statement from HII.
Navy leaders this week identified an aircraft carrier and two submarines affected by faulty weld issues during work at the Newport News Shipyard in Virginia, but say that the substandard work did not take place on components that affect ship safety or operations.
In a letter to House and Senate armed services committee members Thursday, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said impacted ships include the recently-revamped aircraft carrier George Washington and the brand-new attack submarines Hyman G. Rickover and New Jersey.
Citing shipyard officials, Del Toro wrote that the issue involved “welders who did not follow welding procedures properly.”
“Importantly, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has assessed that the welds were not on components or systems that affect ship safety or operations,” he wrote. “NAVSEA, as the technical warrant holder, has determined the ships are safe to operate.”
https://www.navytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/10/04/navy-identifies-three-vessels-impacted-by-faulty-shipyard-weld-work/
