Austal’s Expeditionary Fast Transport #11, soon to be the USNS Puerto Rico, has completed sea trials and is ready for delivery to the U.S. Navy.
For the first time on an EPF vessel, the sea trial process combined the builder’s trials with the acceptance trials. “Combining the two trials allows for greater efficiency, cost reduction, and earlier ship delivery to the customer,” Austal said in a press release.
“Our customer’s confidence in this program and the maturity of the production line is a direct reflection of the outstanding work our team is doing to reduce cost and delivery on schedule,” said Craig Perciavalle, president of Austal USA, located on the waterfront in downtown Mobile.
“Sea trials involve intense comprehensive tests that demonstrate the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment while underway in the Gulf of Mexico,” Austal explains. “It is the last milestone before delivery of the future USNS Puerto Rico to the U.S. Navy in the fall, the eleventh ship in Austal USA’s growing 14-ship portfolio.
