recommendations for or against approval, classification,
activity. Only the authority granting the availability can
and applicability to other ships of the type. Copies of
change the allotted period of time. However, a repair
the basic request and endorsements are forwarded to
activity may recommend a completion date to the
other concerned TYCOMs with requests to comment on
granting authority or request an extension of time to
them for the information of NAVSEASYSCOM.
complete work already underway. There are several
types of ship availabilities that we will define in the
SHIPALTs
next paragraphs. For example, restricted and technical
availabilities differ in whether the ship is or is not ready
SHIPALTs fall into two broad categories: military
to carry out its mission.
SHIPALTS and technical SHIPALTs. If there is a
question as to whether a proposed SHIPALT is military
A RESTRICTED AVAILABILITY (RA) is
or technical, NAVSEA will forward the proposal to
used to complete specific items of work in a
CNO for determination. You will most often install
shipyard or SRF; the ship is NOT available to
technical SHIPALTs.
perform its mission during that time.
MILITARY SHlPALT--A military SHIPALT
A TECHNICAL AVAILABILITY (TA) is used
changes the ship's operational and military
to complete specific items of work in a
characteristics and improves the ship's
shipyard or SRF; the ship IS available to
operational capabilities. Only CNO can approve
perform its mission during that time.
a military SHIPALT. An example of a military
SHIPALT would be the installation of a new
Other types of availabilities identify the type of
weapons system.
work to be done and where it will be done.
TECHNICAL SHIPALT--A technical SHIP-
A REGULAR OVERHAUL (ROH) AVAIL-
ALT is one that improves the safety of
ABILITY is used to complete general repairs
personnel and equipment and/or improves
and alterations in a naval shipyard or other
shore-based repair activity. The schedule for an
of equipment. A technical SHIPALT can only
ROH for a given ship varies between 2 and 5
be approved at the NAVSEA level.
years according to an established cycle. An
overhaul can take as little as 2 months for small
AMALGAMATED MILITARY AND TECHNICAL
ships and as much as 18 months for larger
IMPROVEMENT PLAN
ships. ROH planning begins about 18 months
before the scheduled overhaul.
Approved military and technical SHIPALTs are
ranked in order of priority on an annual basis in the
A VOYAGE REPAIR AVAILABILITY is used
Amalgamated Military and Technical Improvement
for repairs while the ship is underway. These
Plan. The decision to install a SHIPALT is based on the
are emergency repairs that are necessary if the
priority of the alteration in the Amalgamated Military
ship is to continue on its mission, and they can
and Technical Improvement Plan, funding, ship
be done without changing the ship's operating
availability, and whether material is available to
schedule. These repairs will be done by the
complete the SHIPALT. When a decision is reached to
ship's force if possible, or if necessary, by
install a SHIPALT during a given fiscal year, the
personnel from an IMA, SIMA, or SRF.
Program (FMP). Approved SHIPALTs are authorized
A REGULAR IMA AVAILABILITY is used
by letters issued not less than 180 days before the ship
for general repairs and authorized alterations
is scheduled to begin overhaul or other types of repair
that are not emergencies. This work is usually
availabilities.
beyond the capability of the ship's force and is
normally scheduled in advance.
TYPES OF AVAILABILITIES
An EMERGENCY IMA AVAILABILITY is
used to repair specific casualties and generally
An availability is the period of time a ship is
takes first priority at a fleet IMA.
assigned to undergo maintenance or repair by a repair
2-3