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JFK to start inactivation work in Florida

Navy officials have awarded a $15 million contract to Earl Industries of Jacksonville, Fla., to conduct the inactivation work on the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy.

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The move ends any speculation as to where JFK’s inactivation work would begin. Officials considered doing the work either at the Kennedy’s existing pier site at Mayport Naval Station or possibly taking the ship to Norfolk, Va., to complete the work. Another option sought to split the work between the two locations.

But now it’s confirmed that JFK will return in early March from its final cruise to Boston and then stay in Mayport until August.

Earl Industries will be in charge of deactivating installed machinery such as various types of pumps, the catapult systems, elevators and the ship’s diesel generators by draining water, fuel and oil from machinery.

Though the ship will not officially leave active service until Sept. 30, Navy officials plan to hold a decommissioning ceremony in Mayport on March 23.

The contract announcement said Kennedy will be towed to Philadelphia’s inactive ships facility in August, though no specific dates were given.