USS Ashland Achieves 1st-Time Quality, Successful Sea Trials with EPCPs

Sep 21, 2012 ASDNews Source : US Navy

Expanded Process Control Procedures (EPCPs) support USS Ashland (LSD 48) in achieving first-time quality work during sea trials Sept. 16 in Norfolk, Va.

According to Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center Rear Adm. David Gale, the EPCP documentation process provides all information needed to certify that work completed within a ship's availability is in compliance with the existing technical requirements and greatly enhances the overall quality of the repair.

"The requirement of EPCPs is to create a series of technical work documents (TWDs) that provide sufficient detail, including all the necessary objective quality evidence required, ensuring the completion of the TWD accurately," Gale said. "The use of EPCPs and other work certification procedures underscores our focus to invoke a permanent shift in our workforce's culture that will result in first time quality for ships, during every availability."

Ashland completed its dock and sea trials, then validated the work with a successful full power run and high-speed exercise known as swing checks. The swing checks were performed as both full ahead and full astern with rudder, testing the ship's ability to stop the movement of its bow by counter-steering and determine the ship's seaworthiness.

"The Ashland completed its full power run Sunday; it was the best I've ever seen," said Expeditionary Strike Group 2's Cmdr. Gregory Benton, who assisted in sea trial assessments.