BREMERTON, Wash. –
Ex-Kitty Hawk (CV 63) will be dry docked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, March 9.
The dry-docking will allow the Navy to remove marine growth from the hull of ex-Kitty Hawk in order to prevent the potential spread of invasive species before towing it to a dismantling facility to be determined at a later date. The vast majority of material removed from the ship’s hull will consist of kelp and barnacles.
Decaying marine growth removed from the hull may generate odor. While the Navy is taking actions to reduce any impacts, the odor may be detectable in surrounding communities beyond the installation’s fence line. Containment systems and prompt shipment will be in place to minimize odor by capturing and properly disposing of the marine growth.
In March 2020, the Navy entered into a Settlement Agreement regarding litigation over the in-water removal of marine growth from the hull of ex-Independence (CV 62). The terms of this Agreement requires the Navy to conduct the hull cleaning of ex-Kitty Hawk in dry dock.
The ex-Kitty Hawk was decommissioned in 2009 after serving 48 years in support of U.S. Navy operations around the globe. Upon its decommissioning, ex-Kitty Hawk transited to the Navy’s Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Washington, where it has been berthed for 11 years.
PSNS & IMF, the largest employer in Kitsap County, is committed to meeting its mission in a safe and cost-effective manner, while complying with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.