USCGC HICKORY THRUSTER PROP INSPECTION

Florida

03/19/2025 04:42 PM EDT

03/25/2025 11:00 AM EDT

HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF - US COAST GUARD - SFLC PROCUREMENT BRANCH 2(00085)

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

FOR

USCGC HICKORY Thruster Prop Inspection

CGC HICKORY is experiencing an unusual noise coming from their stern thruster prop and recently had a dive inspection that noted an abnormality in their stern thruster tube.

1.0 GENERAL

1. 1. Background 

The 225’ WLB asset, USCGC HICKORY, is experiencing voltage and amperage fluctuations on their bow and stern thruster around 60-70% load. During their most recent testing, they identified an unusual noise coming from their stern thruster tunnel which runs transverse to the ship. There is concern that there is mechanical damage to the prop, the thruster tube where it is housed, or potential imbalance due to marine growth or improper installation. During a previous cleaning within the last three weeks the video footage identified a potential left-over weld from an industrial availability seen in the picture below. The CTR will provide an inspection of bow the bow and stern thruster while on site, but particular attention will be on the stern thruster due to the findings below.

         

Figure 1: Abnormal Condition in Thruster                         Figure 2: Size of prop and Tunnel

1. 1.  Scope 

The scope of this contract is defined by the efforts and tools required to support USCGC HICKORY (WLB 212). The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, and tools necessary to inspect, record, photograph and document the condition of the thruster unit and its surroundings.

1. 1. OBJECTIVE

The goal is to determine if there is any damage, marine growth, or unusual observations for both the bow and stern thruster props, gear boxes, and housings. Additionally, this requirement is to determine the clearance of the blades, if the deformation in Figure 1 is contacting those blades when the prop is rotated, and to grind down the deformation to be flush with the rest of the tunnel

1. 1. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

1. 1. 1. Compliance Documents

The following documents provide specifications, standards, or guidelines that must be complied with to meet the requirements of this contract:

Technical Publication Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical 3556

BOW AND STERN THRUSTERS

1. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

Unless otherwise stated, this contract applies to on-site support for USCGC HICKORY (WLB 212) at the USNA Mole pier, in Key West Florida

2.1 DIVE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall comply with all local, state, and federal regulations and safety requirements. The contractor will coordinate with the engineer officer in charge on board to ensure the Safety/Dive Master Walk the ship and understand what equipment is tagged out for the different zones of the ship. The Safety shall have direct communication via Radio with engineer officer on board or there representative throughout the entirety of the evolution

1. 1. 1. Contractor will provide all the personnel necessary for oversite of the evolution and tending divers
      2. Contractor will provide a thorough inspection of both the bow and stern thruster propellers and gear boxes for visual anomalies. Additionally, the CTR will inspect and provide documentation on the condition of the thruster tunnels or channels with an emphasis on marine growth or if there are any signs of contact between the prop and outer housing.
      3. The contractor will provide measurements of clearances of each blade in the 12, 3, 6, and 9 position as well as the clearance between each blade and the deformation noted in Figure 1.
      4. Contractor will document the condition of each blade on the propeller and pay specific attention to the edge condition of each blade to note if there has been any scraping or sharpness.
      5. Contractor will provide the necessary equipment to grind down the abnormality in the thruster tunnel to be flush with the rest of the tunnel wall.
      6. Contractor will provide video footage and photos to the crew of all inspections and have them properly labeled for the USCG to understand what they are looking at and what specifically the company found of concern in the video. If a longer video or one continuous video the CTR will denote the time (0:00) and a comment of what they noted
      7. Contractor will check tightness on all thruster tunnel grates & Lock wire the grate shut after completion of work.
      8. Contractor attempt to manually manipulate the prop to see if it has any wiggle or movement in the vertical, or lateral direction (Prop typically on a fixed plane and should only rotate).

2.2 Documentation

The Contractor shall provide a trip report documenting all findings no later than 48 hours after returning to the home office and be sent to the ship and Surface Forces logistics center via email. All photos and videos with relevant info shall be shared as well. If too large to support email transfer, they will be transferred via DoD Safe website to the USCG.

1. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL 

3.1       The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all requirements specified in this SOW.

4.1 PERIOD of Performance 

Primary Day: 28MAR25

Secondary Day 31MAR25

4.2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 

The primary place of performance will be at CGC HICKORY Unless otherwise stated, this contract applies to on-site support for USCGC HICKORY (WLB 212) at the USNA Mole pier, in Key West Florida.

4.3 HOURS OF OPERATION

Contractor employees shall generally perform all work between the hours of 0730 and 1600 EST, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays).  However, there may be occasions when Contractor employees shall be required to work other than normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, to fulfill requirements under this SOW. Precise times may be negotiated with the cutter Engineer Officer (EO) as scheduling is subject to ship’s operations. 

4.5 General Report Requirements 

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with DHS workstations (Windows and Microsoft Office Applications).

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

NA

6.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY 

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment, and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract, except for the Government Furnished Resources specified in Section 5.0.

1. GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

The EO will inspect deliverables prior to acceptance and provide the contractor with an e-mail that provides documented reasons for non-acceptance.  If the deliverable is acceptable, the EO will send an e-mail to the Contractor notifying it that the deliverable has been accepted.        

8.0 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide a trip report IAW 2.1 & 2.2 of this SOW.

The Contractor photo and video documentation IAW 2.1 & 2.2 of this SOW.

RDD/POP: Primary Date Friday 28MAR25 Secondary Date 31MAR25

Place of Performance