Austal USA’s San Diego drydock certified, operational

Austal USA’s floating dry dock at its San Diego ship repair facility is fully certified and operational, the company announced Sept. 14.

Designed to accommodate small surface combatants and similarly sized vessels, the drydock expands the facility’s capabilities to serve Navy and other customers through Austal’s repair and services business.

The drydock has a lifting capacity of 9,000 light tons and measures 531'x154'. Its wingwalls are 13.12', and its maximum draft is 36'. The dock’s cranes have a combined lifting capacity of approximately 17.6 U.S. tons.

“Austal’s drydock significantly expands our ability to offer the Navy and other customers a comprehensive, full-service repair facility in San Diego,” said Gene Miller, president of Austal USA.

Several contractors supported the installation and certification work. R.E. Staite Engineering Inc. provided dredging and offshore and inshore construction services, while Chula Vista Electric installed shore power.

Austal also worked with PAE Industrial Operations, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center’s C980 organization and Heger Dry Dock on the certification effort.