Unlike some states that operate in temperate climates all the time, Canadian naval ships and submarines are subject to extremes of temperature, from cold Arctic weather to the heat of the Caribbean. These temperature extremes cause wear on equipment, but so does salt water/air even while a ship is sitting at the dock. In order to serve the government’s purposes – for example, to cross an ocean to participate in counter-piracy operations or UN sanctions enforcement, or to fight a war – naval ships/boats need to be maintained, whether preventive or corrective. As well, since Canada keeps its ships in operation longer than some other states, the older the ships get the more maintenance they need.
What’s involved in maintaining a warship? When does it get done? Who does it? If you want to know, take a look at the Naval Association of Canada Briefing Note at https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BN31-Maintenance.pdf
4 thoughts on “Maintenance of Naval Capabilities”
Very informative however what is not mentioned is the In Support Service Contract (ISSC) that maintains our 12 Kingston Class, the currently being built Harry DeWolf Class, the JSS when built and more than likely the CSC. A very different way of maintaining our ships that has been very successful.
I thought an ISS contract is a variation of 3rd line maintenance(?) It’s like LCMM’s job, but done by the OEM. Similar to a ‘warranty’ on a civvie side.
The ship’s staff does PMS 1 and some PMS 2 and the service provider does the rest including most correctives. They also do 6, 12, 24 and 60M maintenance which includes the 60M docking. The crypto, weapons and some other minor CSE systems are still done by the dockyard.
Excellent Briefing Note on the RCN’s maintenance of their ships and submarines. It gives ordinary Canadians a good insight as to what ships and submarines must endure to remain operationally effective through their service life. However there should be another phase that should always be added. A Definition Replacement Phase (DRP) as to what ships/submarines to procure after the life cycle of these vessels. This DRP should be integrated into each ship/submarine maintenance period no later than 10 years prior to vessel retirement and disposal. That would give Canadians confidence and reassurance that their navy will always be thinking at least 10 years ahead for future RCN vessel procurement.