Vigor Finishes Maintenance Period on USNS John Lewis

Vigor has successfully completed the Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) for the USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205) at Swan Island, marking a key milestone for the first-in-class Military Sealift Command vessel. This eight-month maintenance period involved system enhancements and post-delivery modifications aimed at optimizing the ship’s performance. Now that the PSA is complete, the John Lewis is prepared to enter active service as the lead vessel in the new John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers.

The PSA, which began last fall, provided an opportunity to refine the ship’s operations by addressing any issues discovered during initial sea trials and making necessary adjustments. More than 200 skilled workers contributed to the project, reinforcing Vigor’s commitment to supporting national defense. Adam Beck, Executive Vice President of Ship Repair for Vigor, emphasized the importance of this work, stating that maintaining a strong fleet not only benefits the U.S. military but also sustains valuable jobs throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Coincidentally, the previous generation’s lead vessel, USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), is also undergoing an availability at Vigor. The Swan Island shipyard, historically one of the original Kaiser Shipyards that built Liberty ships during World War II, continues to play a vital role in ship maintenance. Alongside these projects, Vigor is also performing work on USNS Mercy, USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), and several commercial vessels, further demonstrating its expertise in ship repair and fleet readiness.