WASP Prepares for Boiler Inspections

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Engineering Department aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) is preparing for an Afloat Training Group (ATG) light off assessment (LOA) for its two main boilers scheduled to take place at the end of April 2013.

ATG will assess both propulsion plants, checking everything from fuel quality management to the 3M system ensuring Wasp can light off her boilers in a safe and professional manner.

"Once they see that all our paper work and our equipment is in order, that our watch standers know what they're doing, and that they can combat a main space fire drill with proper actions, then they determine if we can light off," said Chief Machinist's Mate Steven Pena.

The cleaning of the main condenser is just one of the many preparations taking place for the LOA. The main condenser is the primary intake source of water which is used to help power the ship; a vital part of getting the ship up and running.

After each underway the main condenser must be cleaned of objects such as fish, crab, eel and trash that clog the main condenser causing it to not work properly.

"We drain all the excess water out of it and get inside of it," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class William Pollard. "We have to make sure that tubes inside are clear and that nothing is clogging them. Then we have to test [the main condenser] with dye to make sure we don't have any leaks in the tubes."

"I've got a great division that works hard to keep things moving down here," said Pena.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/.