The American website Slashgear, specializing in military and technology, cites the example of USS Dewey – a missile destroyer that was photographed a year ago, and its photo appeared on Instagram on a profile specializing in military photography. The photo, which clearly shows the characteristic rust streaks on the sides, has gone viral, and in the comments there are doubts about the combat readiness of the unit. Corrosion of ships is the result of constant exposure to salt water. As Slashgear writes, the US Navy has been struggling with this problem for years. It recently announced a new plan to combat corrosion.
See also: Russia is quietly building the fleet of the future. The Americans were far behind
The USA is implementing a program to protect ships against rust
As Slashgear reminds us, over the last few decades, the American Navy's fight against rust has mainly involved sailors assigned to the deck department cleaning, sanding and painting surfaces inside and outside their ships. However, it was an unequal “war”, because the salt water did its job and the ship's crew had other priorities than constantly scrubbing the sides.
See also: A huge breach in the gas carrier of the Russian shadow fleet. Ukraine is silent
The new ship rescue program, presented at the end of February on the US Defense News YouTube channel, shows that combating destructive rust is entering a completely new level. The plan aims to improve the appearance of U.S. Navy ships, reduce maintenance costs and ensure fleet readiness after “years of deferred corrosion work.”
It assumes, among others: improving ship construction by introducing seawater drainage systems to prevent it from entering cracks, using rust-resistant materials for fittings and construction, such as composites and stainless steel, removing all rust before painting ships. Seafarers are also to receive better cleaning products to make their work more effective. In turn, during maintenance stops in shipyards, the problem of rust is to be dealt with by specially dedicated teams of people.
