The amphibious assault ship Tripoli has had problems with its on-board drinking water system, but officials have fully explained the nature of the problem and why the ship, which entered service in 2020, is working on such problems. refusing to do that.
Expeditionary Strike Group 3 Spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel. Lauren Spaziano said the issue did not affect Tripoli during her seven-month initial deployment. However, the ship is currently facing problems that limit its ability to produce potable water as repairs to some of its reverse osmosis water units are underway.
“USS Tripoli has reduced capacity to produce its own potable water while repairs are being made to its reverse osmosis water purification unit,” Spaziano said in a statement to the Navy Times on Wednesday. “There are no concerns about the quality of the water produced on the go.”
Spaziano declined to say exactly what caused Tripoli’s water system and it is unclear when the problem will be resolved.
“The ship is now in port and has full access to potable water while connected to the pier,” said Spaziano. “Tripoli is scheduled for a major maintenance period in the near future and repairs to the reverse osmosis water purification unit are underway. There is no impact to the crew.”
Last month, the ship returned to San Diego from its first deployment and, while on the pier, participated in Steel Night 2023, an exercise targeting maneuver warfare tactics and command and control capabilities.
News of Tripoli’s water problems came after the USS Nimitz and Abraham Lincoln encountered problems with their drinking water systems this fall.
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In September Nimitz returned to the ship from a pre-deployment cruise and flushing of the ship’s water systems after encountering a jet fuel leak into the drinking water system. Jet fuel was first detected in September. On the 16th, the ship returned to sea on 2nd October.
That same month, bilge water contaminated one of Lincoln’s drinking water tanks through a hole in the tank’s vent line, according to the Navy Air Force.
Officials declined to further explain what caused the water pollution on both ships.
During her first trans-Pacific deployment, Tripoli conducted coast guard operations and provided theater security cooperation and crisis response. She deployed 16 of her F-35Bs on the ship and flew operations in support of Valiant Shield 22 and Noble Fusion exercises.
“Tripoli is proud of the successful first deployment,” Maj. Gen. James Kirk, commander of the 3rd Expeditionary Strike Group, said in a statement. “The ship and crew are at the cutting edge, setting an example and testing the limits of attack ships. We’re excited to see what else they can bring to the fight.”