An Roinn Cosanta Óglaigh na hÉireann Department of Defence Defence Forces

Delivery of Naval Service Vessel Outputs

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2.4 Delivery of Naval Service Vessel Outputs

Since 2000, in line with the White Paper Goal, there has been a phased increase in Naval Service ship patrol day output, with current patrol day output more than 50% higher than 1999 output. Figure 2.1 highlights the patrol day trends over the period 1999 – 2006.

Figure 2.1 Naval Service Patrol Days 1999 – 2006

The Naval Service patrol day target is currently 1,680 patrol days each year. This equates to 210 patrol days per vessel each year. To meet this target the Naval Service must ensure that vessels are properly maintained in order to perform the multiple tasks that may be required.

The Defence Forces’ Annual Plan 2008 requires that the Naval Service fleet is deployed or maintained at a readiness level of 8 hours notice or less, 90% of the time throughout the year. In essence, this means that in addition to providing for the targeted patrol day requirements, the Naval Service fleet must also be “available” for deployment if required. Currently, this readiness state is primarily directed towards possible requirements arising from Programme 2, as previously outlined at 2.3.2.

2.5 Conclusion

The Steering Committee are satisfied that the objectives of Naval Service vessel maintenance are clearly specified, remain valid and are directly linked to overall strategic goals.

3. Naval Service Vessel Maintenance Overview

This chapter provides an overview of Naval Service vessel maintenance. It outlines the types of maintenance undertaken, the Naval Service Units involved with vessel maintenance and how maintenance is conducted. The chapter also describes the differing levels of maintenance and maintenance management.

3.1 Types of Maintenance

Maintenance is carried out on all vessels under the following broad headings:

3.1.1 Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

This is maintenance that is carried out on shipboard equipment to prevent failure of machinery, thereby ensuring continuous availability. PPM is carried out according to either running hours e.g. 100Hrs, 250Hrs, 500Hrs, 1000Hrs, 3000Hrs, 5000Hrs, 10,000Hrs or time e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, three monthly, six monthly, annually, bi-annually etc. All machinery onboard a vessel has a maintenance plan. This approach also allows for planning and management of resources e.g. finance, personnel, spare parts, tools.

3.1.2 Condition Based Monitoring (CBM)

This consists of maintenance routines designed to monitor and assess the performance of machinery. Without carrying out invasive maintenance inspections, CBM can indicate the condition of machinery and help to highlight when overhauls are required. CBM utilises performance measurement criteria, spectrographic oil analysis, trend analysis and surveys. CBM is used to reduce the maintenance burden and increase the time between overhauls. CBM is carried out on a continuous basis e.g. hourly, daily, as well as on a planned basis e.g. monthly, or three monthly.

3.1.3 Unplanned Corrective Maintenance (UCM)

This category encompasses maintenance activities that occur as a result of equipment failure. Failure can occur due to factors such as the environment in which machinery is operated (e.g. rough weather, vibration, and heat), age of the equipment, manufacturing faults, etc. This type of maintenance is difficult to pre-empt and can result in extended down time of machinery as spare parts, personnel etc. may not be readily available.

UCM is the area of maintenance that presents the greatest threat to a seagoing vessel through unscheduled down time. As it is difficult to cater for, particularly with older equipment, UCM can adversely affect the operational profile of a vessel for an extended period of time. UCM, by its very nature generally requires immediate action to address. This diverts resources and focus away from the other maintenance activities. Through its approach and maintenance policies, the Naval Service attempts to minimise the amount of UCM by adhering to a robust maintenance regime of PPM and CBM.

3.2 Units involved in Ships Maintenance

Naval Support Command (NSC)

NSC is tasked with the support of the Naval Service afloat and ashore. As part of this role, Officer Commanding NSC is responsible for Naval Service vessel maintenance and has a number of units / sections under command in order to fulfil this responsibility. The individual functions of these units are elaborated in this section.

Planning, Inspection and Maintenance Management section (PIMM)

Maintenance of Naval Service vessels is planned by a dedicated central shore based unit called PIMM. This unit schedules planned preventative maintenance, monitors the completion of maintenance tasks and provides central support with respect to unplanned corrective maintenance. This unit is also responsible for conditioned based monitoring of Naval Service machinery, primarily through lubricating oil analysis.

3.2.3 Ships Crew

Each vessel has dedicated maintenance personnel who perform watch-keeping duties and perform specified PPM and CBM routines. In addition vessels have the capability to perform UCM, depending on the nature of the unplanned event, inventory held on board and maintenance expertise required.

Whereas most crew members engage in general ships husbandry tasks (routine cleaning, chipping and painting), crew members with appropriate qualifications undertake technical maintenance tasks.

3.2.4 Mechanical Engineering Naval Dockyard Unit (MENDY)

This unit is comprised of two discrete elements:

Naval Dockyard and Fleet Support Group (FSG).

3.2.4.1 Naval Dockyard

The Naval Dockyard is mostly staffed by civilian personnel with overall management by Naval Service officers. The Dockyard undertakes the more technically demanding PPM on Naval Service vessels. This is generally scheduled for completion during a vessel's annual re-fit period. The Dockyard also undertakes UCM that requires their level of technical capability or infrastructural support.

3.2.4.2 Fleet Support Group (FSG)

FSG is staffed by Naval Service personnel with maintenance qualifications. The Naval Service operates a policy of two years sea going duties and two years land based duties for its ship’s crews. FSG personnel are the ship’s maintenance personnel who are on land based duties.

FSG personnel are utilised to support the maintenance effort. They are used to provide additional support to ships’ crews and/or the Dockyard, as required. FSG also undertake all maintenance tasks on Naval Service Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), which are utilised for boarding operations, a critical operational capability for the Naval Service.

3.2.5 Weapons Electric Unit (WEU)

The WEU comprises three Sections; Electric/Electronic Section, Communications Technical Section, and Ordnance Section. WEU is also staffed by Naval Service personnel with technical qualifications and like FSG these personnel are generally ship’s crews on shore rotation. WEU conducts weapons maintenance and electrical and electronic maintenance support. WEU also performs upgrade works on these vessel’s systems.

3.2.6 Logistics Unit

The Logistics Unit provides logistic support for all of the Naval Service. From a maintenance perspective, the key element of this unit is the Main Technical Stores, which procures maintenance goods and services and receipts and issues the majority of maintenance inventory. Each of the units involved in performing maintenance can requisition inventory from the Logistics Unit.