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thedrifter
08-27-08, 08:57 AM
Published on HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
Troubled ship's departure is delayed by gate problem


NORFOLK

The amphibious transport dock San Antonio's departure for its maiden deployment has been postponed a day or two because of a mechanical problem with the stern gate, the Navy said Tuesday.

The ship was scheduled to deploy with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, which began leaving Norfolk on Tuesday.

The $1.8 billion ship - the namesake of a new class - has been plagued by design and construction flaws since the beginning.

At 684 feet long and nearly 25,000 tons, the San Antonio is the first ship designed to accommodate the Marines' new tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft; a new amphibious assault vehicle, the AAAV; and the landing craft air cushion, or LCAC.

The ship - also known by its hull number of LPD 17 - carries a crew of 360, along with about 700 Marines.

While its keel was laid in December 2000 and delivery was scheduled for September 2003, funding delays and cost overruns pushed the price tag up significantly from the original cost of just more than $800 million. Initial inspections in 2005 revealed bad wiring, inadequate ventilation, corrosion and other problems.

After being unable to leave port for a sea trial in March 2007, the ship underwent a $39 million overhaul of its computer network and electronics systems.

About 6,000 sailors and Marines are leaving this week for the Middle East as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima and amphibious dock landing ship Carter Hall left Tuesday. On Friday, the guided-missile destroyer Ramage and guided-missile cruiser Vella Gulf will deploy, the Navy said. The guided-missile destroyer Roosevelt, based in Florida, also will deploy as part of the strike group.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Matthew Jones, (757) 446-2949, matthew.jones@pilotonline.com

Ellie