VOLUME IV

PART III

CHAPTER 11

SCHEDULED PRESERVATION UPKEEP

COORDINATED EFFORT

REFERENCES.

(a) NAVSEA S9510-AB-ATM-010 - Nuclear Powered Submarine Atmosphere Control Manual, Volume 1

(b) NAVSEA S9510-AB-ATM-020/(C) - Nuclear Powered Submarine Atmosphere Control Manual, Volume 2

(c) NAVSEA S9086-VD-STM-010/020/030 - NSTM Chapter 631 Volumes 1, 2 and 3 (Preservation of Ships In-Service)

(d) OPNAVINST 5100.19 - Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) Program Manual for Forces Afloat

(e) SOBT Video SVT-GT-9336 - Submarine Preservation

LISTING OF APPENDICES.

A SPRUCE Key Event Schedule

B SPRUCE Report Form

C SPRUCE Check List

11.1 PURPOSE. The Scheduled Preservation Upkeep Coordinated Effort (SPRUCE) program has been established to ensure internal preservation is maintained at the highest possible level throughout the life of the ship. As a result of increased intervals between submarine CNO Maintenance Availabilities, effective SPRUCE upkeeps are of prime importance. SSBN 726 Class submarines are exempt from SPRUCE upkeeps. Under special circumstances, requests for SPRUCE upkeeps on SSBN 726 Class submarines will be considered and shall be conducted in accordance with this chapter.

11.2 SCHEDULING.

a. ISICs shall schedule a SPRUCE at periodicities specified by each TYCOM for operational SSN submarines. The SPRUCE shall contain a 14 day production period which will not be scheduled to commence sooner than two days following an underway period. Per references (a) and (b), underway periods shall not be scheduled within five days of completion of the production period. In summary:

Ship returns to port 0 days

Preparation period 2 days

Production period 14 days

Gas off period 5 days

TOTAL 21 days

b. A SPRUCE shall not be scheduled during other Ship's Force or FMA upkeeps with the exception of the five day gas off period which may be scheduled during a follow-on upkeep. A SPRUCE should not be scheduled within the six month period prior to a SRA. A SPRUCE should not be scheduled within six months before or after a CNO Maintenance Availability because of the industrial activity's preservation programs.

c. The initial base date for scheduling is the official completion date of the ship's last CNO Maintenance Availability.

11.3 RESPONSIBILITIES.

11.3.1 Type Commander.

a. Administer the SPRUCE program.

b. Maintain a file of SPRUCE lessons learned and distribute to ensure that all commands concerned have the latest information available.

11.3.2 Immediate Superior In Command.

a. Schedule and coordinate SPRUCE upkeeps per the Key Event Schedule of Appendix A of this chapter.

b. Coordinate submarine crew training.

c. Monitor the effectiveness of the SPRUCE program.

d. Chair a SPRUCE debrief with Ship's Force and FMA to review the effectiveness of the SPRUCE and generate lessons learned. The results of this meeting will be included in the Ship's SPRUCE completion letter.

11.3.3 Fleet Maintenance Activity.

a. Provide training, tools, consumables, services, and required support personnel.

b. Provide technical guidance consisting of around the clock coverage by a coatings inspector trained to the requirements of reference (c). The coatings inspector will perform all inspections necessary to ensure proper preservation is accomplished and will complete Appendix B of this chapter for each area preserved. All completed forms from Appendix B of this chapter will be submitted to the ship for inclusion into their SPRUCE completion letter.

11.3.4 Submarine Commanding Officer.

a. Ensure preservation is performed by Ship's Force using the procedures contained in references (c) through (e).

b. Ensure Ship's Force personnel are relieved of all requirements other than those necessary to maintain the safety and security of the ship during the SPRUCE.

c. Designate an officer or Chief Petty Officer (CPO) to serve as the SPRUCE Manager.

d. Ensure the ship is divided into preservation zones. Each zone will have an officer or CPO in charge during the SPRUCE. Conduct a thorough preservation inspection of each zone, assisted by an FMA coatings inspector (if possible) at least 90 days prior to the start of the SPRUCE to determine and prioritize the preservation to be accomplished. Appendix C of this chapter shall be reviewed as part of this inspection.

e. Submit completion letter to the TYCOM via the chain of command. This letter shall report results of the SPRUCE, problems encountered, lessons learned, and shall contain completed forms from Appendix C of this chapter.

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APPENDIX A

SPRUCE KEY EVENT SCHEDULE

1. The ISIC is responsible for ensuring adherence to the following schedule to assure the effective planning of a SPRUCE upkeep. The ISIC will act for the ship to complete items should an underway period preclude timely accomplishment. The ISIC will alert the ship's Commanding Officer and the TYCOM in the event that any of the following time frames will be exceeded.

DAY ACTION

• 90 ISIC ensure SPRUCE is on the ship's operating schedule. Schedule the SPRUCE with the FMA. Notify TYCOM (N3/N4) of planned SPRUCE dates.
• 90 Commanding Officer assign SPRUCE manager and zone supervisors. Ship/FMA Conduct preservation inspection.
• 90 Commanding Officer submit OPNAV 4790 2K/2L requests for powder coating services. Ships shall make effective use of these services to enhance the effectiveness of preservation for components located in hostile environments.
• 90 ISIC/Commanding Officer arrange for respiratory protection physicals, initial respiratory training for the ship's Hospital Corpsman, and respirator fit-checks for crew by FMA Occupational Safety and Health personnel. The crew shall be trained in respirator use by the ship's Hospital Corpsman.
• 90 ISIC/Commanding Officer make plans for crew technical training.
• 30 Commanding Officer establish painting "Tiger Team" and ensure adequate number of personnel are assigned to accomplish the upkeep commensurate with ship checks. The Tiger Team should include personnel not necessary to maintain the safety and security of the ship. Promulgate a SPRUCE watchbill.
• 30 Commanding Officer review and conduct training with assigned personnel and Work Center Supervisors. Establish a General Military Training program incorporating requirements of references (c), (d), and (e) and the ship's paint schedule. Provide the SPRUCE Plan of Action and Milestone to the ISIC for review.

2. Conduct a 21 Day SPRUCE as follows:

DAY ACTION

-2 Tiger team make preparations for SPRUCE.

1-2 Ship's Force preparations for SPRUCE.

3-16 Ship's Force execute SPRUCE preservation work.

DAY ACTION

16 ISIC, Commanding Officer, FMA conduct SPRUCE debrief. Commanding Officer submit SPRUCE completion letter.

21 Ship's first available underway date.

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APPENDIX C

SPRUCE CHECK LIST

1. Has a Navy Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Protection Agency representative been onboard to ensure compliance with occupational health and environmental regulations?
2. Is the ship aware of all required training (Hazardous Material, Respirator, Technical)?
3. Assess level of effort required to accomplish SPRUCE. Assess type/quantity of tools and paint required. FMA informed for planning purposes.
4. FMA coatings inspector review SPRUCE report form (Appendix A of this chapter) of this chapter requirements with the ship. Discuss why, how, and when these inspections are required.
5. Does the ship have a copy of Submarine On Board Training Video SVT-GT-9336 (Submarine Preservation)?
6. Does the ship hold the most recent revisions to NSTM Chapter 631 (Preservation of Ships In-Service)?
7. Is the ship aware of the appropriate uses of powder coatings?
8. Does the ship hold the most recent "lessons learned" distribution from the TYCOM?

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