NASSCO begins sea trials on latest cargo ship

General Dynamics-NASSCO -- the last major shipbuilding yard on the West Coast -- today begin sea trials on the USNS Washington Chambers, one in a series of 689-foot dry cargo ships the company is building on San Diego Bay.

The $500 million ship "goes goes out 20-plus miles," said Jim Gill, a NASSCO spokesman.

"They test all the systems, including drop anchor and hauling it back up. This is usually done just off Coronado Roads (Silver Strand). Take the engine through all its configurations. Test the cranes, test the replenishment equipment (cabling, winches), run the fluids through the lines. Test the radar, fire fighting systems, top side sprinkling systems."

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