US Navy's Seawolf-class submarine USS Connecticut completes 1st maintenance phase.

According to information published by the US DoD on July 12, 2023, the interim seismic mitigation enhancements that started on March 29 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, have reached a successful completion with Dry Dock 5.
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Nuclear-powered Seawolf class submarine USS Connecticut. (Picture source: Dvids)

The interim seismic mitigation enhancements that started on March 29 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, have reached a successful completion with Dry Dock 5.

This initiative did not merely bolster structural integrity but also updated the existing emergency response plans. The latter enhancement is aimed at better preparing for catastrophic earthquakes and refining the early-warning systems for dry dock employees.

Furthermore, the structural upgrade work included the installation of anchors within the dry dock walls, a measure that promotes the safety of the workforce, community, environment, and submarines.

As the upgrade efforts continue at the Trident Refit Facility Delta Pier in Bangor, strategic plans are being evaluated for Dry Dock 6. Given the unique ship designs and the large size of aircraft carriers, there is no immediate requirement for seismic mitigations. Consequently, aircraft carrier maintenance at PSNS & IMF remains unaffected.

In the wake of the successful re-certification of Dry Dock 5, it served as the docking location for USS Connecticut (SSN 22), beginning its Extended Docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) on July 12.

As the current mitigation efforts conclude, decisions concerning similar upgrades for other docks are expected. These future plans may include additional enhancements to increase stability during submarine availabilities.

About the submarine

From March to August 2019, Connecticut was in drydock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for maintenance and modernization. The US$17 million project, involving 30,000 worker days, used a hull-climbing robot for ship's hull inspection.

There were plans to extend a submarine pier at the Naval Submarine Base Bangor to accommodate Connecticut, USS Seawolf, and USS Jimmy Carter. However, during pre-deployment training on April 14, 2021, Connecticut hit a pier in Point Loma, California, which led to a separate command investigation and a navigation safety stand down for the submarine.

On October 2, 2021, the submarine collided with a seamount in the South China Sea, causing damage and injuring eleven sailors, albeit not life-threatening. An investigation led to the relief of duty for the commanding officer, his executive officer, and the chief of the boat.

The Connecticut measures 107.5 meters in length and has a 12.1-meter beam. Its draft is 10.9 meters, and it displaces 7,568 tons light, 9,137 tons full, and 1,569 tons dead.

The propulsion system includes an S6W PWR 220 MW (300,000 hp), a secondary propulsion submerged motor, two steam turbines, a shaft, and a pump-jet propeller. Its armament consists of eight 26.5-inch torpedo tubes, and it has a complement of 15 officers and 101 men.