A Solution to the Inherent List on Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers

3.2.1 Ease of Removal
As mentioned previously, Perma Ballast® is removable. In fact, removal costs were ^
assessed as well for this project on a per tank basis. For <strong>the</strong> purposes of this <strong>the</strong>sis, all tank
prepping costs for ballast removal by BTI were also calculated by Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Code
256). It was estimated that it would cost approximately $78,652 for labor and material <strong>to</strong>
remove/reinstall accesses and interferences for one 8"" deck tank, and approximately $63,412 for
labor and material <strong>to</strong> remove/reinstall accesses for one 2"^* deck tank.
Ballast removal costs were also obtained from BTI. It was determined that it would be
best for BTI <strong>to</strong> actually remove <strong>the</strong> ballast and dispose of it due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> high costs involved should
a naval shipyard need <strong>to</strong> dispose of <strong>the</strong> ballast. For ballast removal, BTI will charge a fixed fee •
of $100,000 for locating and utilizing <strong>the</strong>ir equipment and approximately $395 <strong>to</strong> remove <strong>the</strong>
ballast per I<strong>to</strong>n. They also estimated approximately $65 per I<strong>to</strong>n <strong>to</strong> dispose of it. All pricing is
based on disposal of 100% of <strong>the</strong> water used <strong>to</strong> re-slurry <strong>the</strong> material.
I*
For example, a 1.5 degree list correction would require approximately 400 I<strong>to</strong>n of ballast
and would need <strong>to</strong> be removed from two 2"*^ deck tanks. This would result in a <strong>to</strong>tal removal ^
cost of $347,412 of which $284,000 is for <strong>the</strong> ballast removal and $63,412 is for removing and
reinstalling accesses. It should be noted that this ballast addition is only as permanent a solution
as it needs <strong>to</strong> be. For example, should future modifications entail replacing <strong>the</strong> old Nimitz island ^
with a new CVN 76 island, it would <strong>the</strong>n be desirable and cost effective <strong>to</strong> remove this ballast.
3.2.2 Evidence Perma Ballast® is non-corrosive
Recently, <strong>the</strong> American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) required a sealift conversion vessel
that installed this Perma Ballast® in 1984 <strong>to</strong> remove its ballast. Concern had arisen because a
tank inspection revealed that corrosion coupons had undergone significant weight loss. ti
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