Navy Ramp Fabrication & Installation

San Diego, CA

Fabrication & Installation

Navy Ramp Fabrication & Installation

Project Facts

Vessels: DB Salta Verde, Seana C
Client: US Navy

Type: Fabrication & Installation
Location: San Diego, CA.
Performed: 2020

Brief:

In the spring of 2020, when the US Navy’s nuclear submarine base underwent essential repairs, the dry dock was temporarily out of service. Recognizing an opportune moment, the department decided to refurbish the existing access ramp to the dock. Initially, the scope of work entailed sandblasting the 16′ x 60′ ramp to NAVFAC specifications. However, during the initial sandblasting operations conducted by the contractors, it became apparent that the structural steel of the ramp exceeded acceptable tolerances of wastage.

Swiftly responding to the situation, the Navy expedited efforts to procure a new ramp. Curtin Maritime was entrusted with the comprehensive task of designing, building, painting, and installing a new ramp within an accelerated timeline. Contracting was completed on April 18, initiating an immediate start to the design, engineering, and governmental approval process. Once the design garnered approval, steel was promptly ordered, with the first truckload arriving on May 8th.

Demonstrating our commitment to excellence, the Curtin Maritime shipyard team efficiently fabricated and welded the ramp within a few weeks, adhering rigorously to stringent US Navy QA/QC specifications. Embracing our core value of “Innovation,” we collaborated with a welding automation company to engineer a Bug-O welding robot, significantly enhancing our production welding efficiency in the assembly of the transverse deck structure.

Following the successful completion of fabrication work, and subsequent approval from a USN-approved CWI, we transitioned to the coatings application phase. Curtin Maritime erected a scaffold structure around the newly constructed ramp, implementing a shrink-wrapping technique with built-in negative pressure systems to ensure full containment. Subcontractors then conducted sandblasting and painting operations under controlled conditions. Upon acceptance of the paint job by the Navy, the ramp was carefully loaded onto the DB Salta Verde, and our Marine Transportation team towed it to the Navy’s Point Loma submarine shipyard for installation on the dry dock. The installation, a testament to our efficiency, was accomplished on June 24th, a mere 6 weeks after the delivery of the steel plates.