INTREPID SEA, AIR, & SPACE MUSEUM
4/12/2007 by Kurt Erlandson
On April 12th, 2007 Randive was contracted by Bayonne Ship Repair and the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum to assist in the dry docking of the Intrepid.
During a
preliminary dry docking inspection our dive team discovered that all of the hull
penetrations were blanked off during her decommissioning utilizing welded high
hats. This presented a challenging problem during docking operations due to the
fact that as many as 50
high hats, as big as 6’ x 5’ x 18”, had to be fitted into the docking block
arrangement. This had to be accomplished by very careful coordination between
multiple dive teams and the docking master making very
precise fore & aft and port to starboard vessel positioning corrections. Upon
completion of the best possible docking position of the vessel, there remained
three side blocks on each side which remained in the way of the cofferdams. Upon
consultation with all involved and a naval architect it was confirmed that the
upper soft caps of 2 blocks per side could be removed. The remaining obstructed
caps had to be trimmed underwater utilizing underwater hydraulic chainsaws in
order to accept the high hats and have enough structural integrity left to
support the massive weight of the aircraft carrier.
Over a period of two days, 2 – 4 man dive teams working on either side of the dock were able to complete the side block modifications. The dock was pumped dry and one of the greatest U.S. naval ships of all time was safely dry for the first time in over 30 years. She is scheduled to be back at Pier 86 sometime late in 2008 to continue telling her stories of heroism and educating all who visit her. Underwater video was obtained documenting the entire operations and will be part of a PBS documentary which is scheduled to air sometime in the fall of 2008.
E-mail: Divingservices@randive.com
