Statement of Need_Immersion Suits.docx

Mare Island Dry Dock Attn: NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker 1180 Nimitz Avenue Vallejo, California 94592 February 24, 2020

Statement of Need for Service

Purpose:

NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker conducts marine research in support of NOAA’s Line offices. To execute the mission and operational requirements in a safe manner, the ships immersion suits must be maintained in good working order, ready for immediate use, and readily accessible before the vessel leaves port and at all times when the vessel is operated. Each immersion suit must be maintained and inspected on an annual basis and according to the manufacturer's guidelines (46 CFR 28.140). In addition, the immersion suits must have periodic pressure testing of seams and closures following procedures outlined in USCG NVIC 01-08. The manufacturers recommend a complete inspection by a certified inspection and repair facility at intervals not exceeding every 2 years. Immersion suits 5 years old should be professionally inspected annually. OMAO policy 1706 requires air pressure testing at intervals not exceeding three years.

SCOPE OR MISSION:

NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker operates in waters up and down the west coast and into Canada. To ensure the safety of crew and scientists, each berth is furnished with 2 type V Immersion suits. The ship carries extra immersion suits to ensure each crew member and visitor has the proper size and a suit in good condition. As suits are deemed not fit for service they are removed from circulation and destroyed. The monthly inspections are carried out by the deck department.

BACKGROUND:

The monthly maintenance and inspection of immersion suits is conducted in house by the Reuben Lasker deck department. Reuben Lasker has 62 immersion suits that require pressure testing and inspection by a certified facility. No record is available for pressure tests of existing immersion suits on board. Reuben Lasker does not have the appropriate equipment to conduct the pressure testing of seams and closures of the suits, requiring a certified facility to provide this service.

Immersion Suit Salient Information:

· No equipment to conduct in house pressure testing

Pick-Up and Delivery:

Coordination with Ship Point of Contact is required prior to pick-up and delivery to prevent being turned away at the Mare Island Dry Dock gate. Require immersion suit service before the end of alongside repair period (March 31, 2020). Any delay in this delivery will result in the prevention of the ship leaving the Mare Island Dry Dock, and cause a cascade of delays in the sailing schedule.

· Pick-up and Delivery Address:

Mare Island Dry Dock Attn: NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker 1180 Nimitz Avenue Vallejo, California 94592

Point of Contact:

LT Jacob Barbaro Operations Officer NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker ops.reuben.lasker@noaa.gov or LCDR Emily Rose Executive Officer NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker xo.reuben.lasker@noaa.gov 541-867-8925