Zephyr Puts Pause on Patrols

From USS Zephyr Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Cyclone-class coastal patrol ship USS Zephyr (PC 8) was lifted out of the water at Colonna's Shipyard Aug. 8 to undergo a projected 347-day, dry-docking phased maintenance availability.

Throughout the course of the next year Zephyr will have extensive maintenance performed on the hull and several other areas of the ship.

"It was a sad day for me to watch Zephyr exiting the water because I will not get the chance to put the ship through its paces upon completion," said Zephyr Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Follett. "At the same time, I know the ship will come out of the yards 'fit to fight' and fully capable to be an asset for 4th Fleet. The crew has done a phenomenal job preparing the ship for this maintenance period. They are by far the best and most cohesive crew I have had the pleasure to lead."

Refurbishments and upgrades will be completed on the ship's fin stabilizers, gearboxes, reverse osmosis units, anchor windlass, combat craft retrieval system, communications suite, and messing and berthing facilities.

"I'm really looking forward to the new berthing spaces on the ship," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Anthony Hester." Gaining more locker space for our personal gear will be a great improvement in our quality of life on board for our deployments."

Some of the ship's crewmembers will take advantage of the time ashore to attend training courses, while others will work alongside shipyard workers to ensure Zephyr completes this dry-dock period as mission ready as possible.

This maintenance period will reset the ship's service life and, upon completion, Zephyr will return to her homeport of Mayport, Fla. as part of Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet.

Patrol craft support maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the area of operations which includes South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters.