Nov. 27, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 149
DAILY DIGEST
SAILORS KEEP THE MOTORS RUNNING Story and photos by MCSN (SW) Derek Harkins
S
ailors aboard Nimitz may not pay much thought to what it takes to keep equipment aboard the ship operational. The fire pumps help fight fires, while the ship’s air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems protect equipment and keep the crew comfortable. But all of this equipment has something in common: it all contains motors. “I think sometimes it might be a little underappreciated because people just expect their
ventilation to work and if it doesn’t work, it’s automatically our fault,” said Electrician’s Mate Fireman Alexandra Delotellremaklus, a Sailor in Nimitz’ power shop. Personnel in this shop play a crucial role in keeping the motors built into shipboard equipment in working condition. They take each trouble call to its corresponding work center and work to repair any issues they may find. “If we can’t find a solution, we rig the motor down by
bolting it and disconnecting it electrically,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Terence Howard. Some of the required tasks they must perform are fairly simple. “The easiest jobs we get are trouble calls where we just need to restart ventilation,” said Howard. “That’s just pushing a button.” However, it isn’t always that easy. “The bolting, rigging and actually getting the motor down Continued on page 3