Ships Can Now Get Power From Shore

Two new power stations at the Naval Construction Battalion Center will save the Navy money and may increase the number of ships that can use the deep-water port, officials said.

“Because of budget constraints, we have to do things smarter and use our money more efficiently,” said Lt. Bryan Vincent, who heads port operations at the center.

“We have to be innovative in the way we operate and do business.”

The power stations, located at wharves 3 and 5, provide electricity to ships in port so they don’t have to use their own power.

The first ship to use the new shore power spent six days in port last month and saved an estimated $4,200 a day in fuel costs during its stay. While in port, the ship underwent a safety evaluation and its crew participated in training sessions.

The power stations allow a ship to save $21,000 to $41,000 each week depending on its size. The total fuel cost for five fleet ships that visited Port Hueneme in fiscal 1998 was approximately $150,000.

Those costs will drop with the Navy’s new shore power capabilities, Vincent said.

“This is a great benefit not just to the base, but to the ships in the fleet and the Naval Surface Warfare Center,” Vincent said.

“It will reduce the costs for the ships to come in here and have their weapons systems worked on.”

The Navy spent about $500,000 to get the stations up and running.

Port Hueneme contains the only Navy owned and operated deep-water port between San Diego and Seattle, and one of three remaining Navy ports on the West Coast.

The Navy commands in Ventura County use the port to help mobilize Seabees, evaluate ships and house Navy research vessels.