LCS Damage ‘Extensive’

The damage caused to the power plant of the littoral combat ship Fort Worth by a maintenance procedure that went awry is “extensive,” according to an April 8 report by Bloomberg News. The ship, the third in its class, still sits pier-side in Singapore while Navy officials determine a course of action to repair it. The work either could take place there, or at a stateside facility. In the latter case, Fort Worth would have to be towed home. The propulsion system was damaged during Jan. 12 repairs, when the crew restarted the engines without first applying lubrication oil.