MANAMA, Bahrain – Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Detachment Bahrain recently delivered USS Hurricane (PC 3) back to the fleet after successfully completing its Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (DPMA).
Hurricane is one of ten Coastal Patrol (PC) ships homeported in Bahrain. The primary mission of PCs is to provide maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, protecting infrastructure, and escorting large surface combatants. These small, but capable ships are vital to enhancing security and building partnerships with other countries in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
“Returning Hurricane to the fleet, after making several vital upgrades, was a big win for FDRMC and the Navy,” said Capt. Gustavo Vergara, commanding officer of FDRMC. “Our team is directly contributing to readiness generation by ensuring the Fleet Commanders have capable and reliable assets when called upon.”
PCs are scheduled to complete a DPMA every three years as part of their planned maintenance cycle. Hurricane completed its 203-day availability at Bahrain Ship Repair and Engineering Company. Extensive work done to replace all four stern tubes as well as a main engine, and to upgrade Hurricane's combat systems suite.
This was the eighth stern-tube replacement on a PC in Bahrain. By applying lessons learned and focusing on the critical-path work items, the project team was able to quickly adjudicate issues despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Project Team worked with our industry partners to maximize schedule,” said Cmdr. Carole Etherington, officer in charge at FDRMC Detachment Bahrain. “They did not give up until they negotiated shorter timelines or eliminated schedule impacts. There was no question the project team was committed to making every day count.”
FDRMC provides contract management oversight, fleet technical assistance, voyage repair and diving and salvage to forward deployed naval forces in Europe and the Middle East and deployed ships in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.