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Home : Media : News
NEWS | Oct. 11, 2016

SERMC Shop in the Spotlight: Diesel Shop

By Scott Curtis Southeast Regional Maintenance Center

One hundred years later, diesel engines are still used for propulsion on some ships and small craft. Diesels are known for reliability and durability, but what happens when a diesel engine onboard a ship breaks down?

 

The Diesel Engine Shop (Code 931) at Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC) provides services and repairs to diesel internal combustion engines. “Experience is the best teacher, and at SERMC we are teaching Sailors to learn and recognize the causes of engine trouble,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Hermann.

 

Traditionally, most “on-the-job” training (OJT) is driven by workload, but the initiative of some Sailors here ensures the Sailors at SERMC have an engine available for training anytime.

 

After receiving an engine from a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) which was thought to be seized, Sailors in the Diesel Engine Shop teamed with the SERMC Pipefitter Shop to build an engine stand to hold the 5.9 liter 6-cylinder Cummins Diesel motor.

 

“The engine stand fabricated by our Pipefitter Shop is mobile and is set up for training. We have already stripped it to the engine block, and we discovered the motor actually isn’t seized. We’ll go through every system until it’s completely rebuilt,” said Hermann.

 

RIBs are high-speed, diesel engine powered, extreme-weather small craft that are used by Navy SEAL teams, Dive Boats, and patrol craft.

 

“RIBs operate in extreme and difficult conditions, so inspection and maintenance are critical to minimize casualties caused by internal failures,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Robin Mosley.

 

“Our Sailors are gaining valuable experience learning how to fix and conduct preventive maintenance on a diesel engine widely used in the fleet. We encourage all of our Enginemen to become subject matter experts,” Petty Officer 1st Class Staci Allen said.

 

After the completion of hands on training, Sailors can earn specialized NEC’s under the Navy Afloat Maintenance Training Strategy (NAMTS) program.

 

Candidates are given a post-exam to test their knowledge of the equipment they have been working on. This is then followed by a final board certification process.

 

For more information about Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC), visit www.navsea.navy.mil/