Joseph Lombardi, Owner of Ocean Technical Services (OTS), specializes in structural surveys of yachts and commercial vessels, historic vessel museum start-ups, preparation of applications with regards to the NAVSEA Ship Donation Program (PMS - 333) and ongoing project management. We provide additional services such as project management, supervision of offshore tows (Trip-In-Tow Surveys & Tow Plans), audio gauging/ultrasonic testing of shell plating, safety surveys, EPA Visitation Agreements and builder's risk surveys of the graving drydocks. I am also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Master and First Class Pilot of Unlimited Tonnage. A naval architect, marine surveyor and a former NAVSEA/COAST GUARD SUPSHIP are on my staff as subcontractors and are available for additional task requirements.

OTS performed structural surveys in 1996 on the U.S.S. DES MOINES (CA-134) and U.S.S. CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2); these surveys were performed on behalf of the State of Minnesota and the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Committee, OTS prepared the applications for donations to NAVSEA on their behalf. As part of the application process for the State of Minnesota, OTS organized the acquisition of the hazardous material sampling aboard DES MOINES as part of their Pollution Agreement with the EPA, a big step in their application process. This effort fell apart after a local referendum in Duluth, Minnesota turned down the establishment of the State Park.

OTS conducted a structural hull survey, in late 1997, of the supercarrier U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CV-59) on behalf of a Bensalem, PA group that had been attempting to acquire this ship for a museum on the Delaware River.

During the spring and summer of 1998, OTS completed the structural surveys of the three naval memorial vessels at the Buffalo Servicemen's Park (U.S.S. LITTLE ROCK (CLG-4), U.S.S. THE SULLIVANS (DD-537) & U.S.S. CROAKER (SSK-246); OTS has also been contracted to perform designer services as regards repairs to be completed on these vessels prior to the tow to their new berthing sites.

This project involved preparing and submittals of 'Trip & Tow' surveys and NAVSEA-approved mooring plans for the temporary and permanent berthing of these vessels. Based upon OTS's relationship with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), we were able to secure the declassification of structural hull drawings of the U.S.S. CROAKER (SS-246) at the National Archives. OTS received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard and NAVSEA for the three mooring plans submitted for their review.

In January 2000, OTS supervised the repairs to the submarine U.S.S. CROAKER (SSK-246) at her in-water berth on the Buffalo, NY waterfront. OTS rebuilt the bow of the submarine, installed new deck hardware (ten cleats and chocks) and re-ballasted the vessel. The repair of this submarine out of a drydock setting represents the first time a fleet submarine has been repaired in the water since in-theater operations during World War II. OTS completed the rebuilding of the bow of submarine CROAKER in the water and successfully towed her to a temporary berth in Lackawanna, NY.

We are removing mud/sediment under the other two vessels and have removed the underwater appendages from the U.S.S. THE SULLIVANS (sonar dome, both props and rudder). OTS joined with Buffalo Industrial Diving Co., of Buffalo, New York in a joint venture to perform repairs to the three vessels at the Naval park. This is an ongoing project.

OTS completed, in fall and spring of 1998-1999, the structural surveys and supervised the rigging of tow for the battleship U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59), a National Historic landmark and a sistership to the U.S.S. ALABAMA. We also completed the Trip & Tow survey (required by underwriters for obtaining of the COFR & NAVSEA) and completed the Tow Plan (required by the Coast Guard & NAVSEA) on behalf of the Massachusetts Memorial Committee. The voyage around Nantucket Shoals was uneventful and the battleship arrived on November 7, 1998. The U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS is the largest historic vessel to go to drydock for repairs to this date.

OTS completed the ultrasonic testing of 90,000 square feet of the underwater hull of MASSACHUSETTS in Drydock #3 in S. Boston. OTS was contracted as the QC advisor to the U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS Memorial Committee. We sailed from Drydock #3 for Fall River on 2 March 1999 on time and under budget.

OTS also completed the structural surveys, 'Trip & Tow' surveys, Tow Plans and Shipyard Specification Package for the U.S.S. LIONFISH (SS-298), a WW II Balao-class submarine in the spring of 1999, all plans were approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and NAVSEA. OTS supervised the rigging of tow appendage on Saturday 27 February 1999, and we were underway (at the end of a tow line) later that day for a successful tow to Boston and returned in May 1999 back to Fall River.

In the spring of 1999, OTS conducted a structural hull survey of the battleship U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA in Wilmington, NC on behalf of the U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Commission. OTS was also tasked with conducting a systematic UT inspection of the vessel's shell plating concurrently with the structural survey.

In the fall of 1999, OTS conducted a structural hull survey of the U.S.S. SALEM (CA-139) prior to her move to Drydock #3 in S. Boston. OTS organized and supervised the towing of the vessel and linehandlers for a very successful transit and arrival. OTS conducted the complete UT inspection of the shell plating of this vessel in drydock; we also served the Museum as quality control inspectors during the entire drydock progression. OTS provided the 'Trip & Tow' survey and Tow Plan for both legs of the project. The ship arrived back at her berth under OTS supervision in February 2000.

In the winter/spring of 2000, concurrently with our ongoing project in Buffalo, OTS performed a preliminary structural survey of the submarine U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and performed limited UT work on this hull.

Also in the Spring of 2000, OTS conducted a structural survey of the destroyer U.S.S. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY (DD-850) at her berth at Battleship Cove in Fall River preparatory to towing her to Newport, Rhode Island sound for fitting out for her role in the movie production 'THIRTEEN DAYS'. OTS performed the 'Trip-In-Tow' Surveys and 'Tow Plans' for this exercise. OTS also chartered an ocean-going freighter on behalf of the movie production.

In the summer of 2000, OTS conducted a hull structural survey and prepared the very old wooden, diesel-electric tugboat LUNA, a National Historic Landmark vessel, for a shipyard repair period. OTS supervised and provided oversight on the preparations made to the vessel resulting in her being successfully towed from her berth in Boston to Samples Shipyard in Boothbay, Maine. She arrived without incident.

During the winter of 2001, OTS performed a detailed structural survey and a complete UT/audio gauging of the submarine U-505 internal pressure hull, bulkheads and external ballast tank system of the at the Museum of Science & Industry. OTS measured the vessel and prepared a separate 'Machinery Survey' of the vessel's propulsion and steering components for the Museum. OTS also was contracted to repair/rebuild the vessel's watertight dogging hatches.

In the summer of 2001, OTS was tasked with conducting a structural survey of the icebreaker U.S.C.G.C. GLACIER (WAGB-4) at her berth in Suisan Bay. OTS also provided a detailed plan for the removal of generators from the former ammunition ship U.S.S. MAUNA KEA to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD); this project involved the removal of side shell plating and decking of this ship for the removal of her generator and supporting electronic control components. This task was completed later that fall. OTS will be preparing the GLACIER for her movement out of the MARAD Reserve Fleet in early 2003.

OTS was also tasked (in partnership with Economic Research Associates of San Francisco) with preparing a joint economic analysis/feasibility study to the City of Vallejo, CA on the merits of establishing a historic naval park at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard. OTS surveyed both the frigate U.S.S. KNOX nuclear submarine U.S.S. DRUM at their berths at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington developing the information needed to successfully tow and berth these two vessels. The report generated was accepted unanimously by the City Council of Vallejo in July of 2002.

OTS was also tasked with surveying the pair of fleet tugs U.S.S. QUAPAW (ATF-110) and U.S.S. MOCTOBI (ATF-105) in Port Richmond, California for a commercial client.

OTS performed a structural survey of the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. STERETT (CG-31) on behalf of a client in Humboldt Bay, California; we also prepared a five year Economic Analysis for this museum start-up.

During the summer of 2002, OTS conducted structural survey aboard the U.S.S. SPHINX (ARL-24), an LST-type repair ship on behalf of the Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum in Dunkirk, New York. They recently obtained Congressional turn-over for the vessel from MARAD. OTS will be preparing the berthing plans and supervision of the drydocking and subsequent towing of this vessel to the Lake Erie site.

OTS was also recently tasked with conducting a structural survey and machinery analysis for the salvage tug U.S.S. HOIST (ARS-40) on behalf of a museum group in Toledo, Ohio. OTS is also preparing a five year Financial Analysis for this group.

The above is in addition to our core book of business as yacht/commercial vessel surveyers.