USCGC Morro Bay

[Guest]

Not sure about recent years but when i was on the Bristol(94-96). They only had one.

[Mr Link]

Mac Mackay's blog Shipfax showed the Morro Bay leaving Halifax today. More than likely returning to the Lakes after its year long upgrade. It will be interesting to see if it goes to Cleveland or to Detroit, since the Bristol Bay's buoy tending barge is sitting unused in Detroit.

The Coast Guard base in Detroit also has two 49 foot buoy tenders, 49423 and 49424. Have they always had two, or is this something new or temporary?

[Mr Link]

Per AIS observations today, the Bristol Bay is currently docked in Quebec City, likely headed for the scheduled SLEP upgrade at the USCG Curtis Bay Yard. I believe it will be the third 140 to be worked on at the yard, with Morro Bay almost complete, and Penobscot Bay part way completed.

Morro Bay last showed up on AIS on Friday, in the water, docked at the yard.

[Guest]

As the USCGC Morro Bay will be the first to go through this process it makes sense that it will take longer than those that follow. Such a process allows the Coast Guard to establish the proper procedures for the entire class of cutters and to also uncover any unforeseen difficulties. It will also allow for a possible streamlining of this process which will equate to shorter shipyard time for following cutters and (hopefully) a cost savings for the entire program.

[CG Bob]

Since Morro Bay is the first going through the 140' SLEP, she will take a little longer. Other military programs similar to SLEP are the FRAM (Fleet Rehab And Modernization - USN Gearing Class DD's and USCG 378' WHEC) and MMA (Midlife Maintenance Activity - USCG 210' WMEC). Most of the old 180' Buoy Tenders also went through a SLEP. The USCG 378' WHEC's (Hamilton class) FRAM took about 3 years per cutter, and were done at commercial yards. The 210' WMEC's (Reliance Class) went through a 2 year MMA, most at the CG Yard in Curtis Bay. The 180' WLB SLEP process took about 18 months per cutter.

[garbear]

Is it because the Coast Guard is doing it themselves, because why would a project on a boat that size take that long to complete? Can't believe it would take that long in a private yard.

[Mr Link]

The Morro Bay is in the Coast Guard's Curtis Bay Shipyard near Baltimore. It is about half way through a year long Service Live Extension Project (refurbishment and upgrading project). She is the first of the 140's to undergo this work, but all are expected to be cycled thru the program. I suspect the timetable will speed up on future vessels somewhat.

http://www.uscg.mil/yard/Jul-Aug2014.pdf

[lyn]

The past couple of years the USCGC Morro Bay has assisted in breaking ice in the Great Lakes. Other USCGC from the US East coast have assisted. Where is the Morro Bay and why no other cutters?