The US Navy's dry dock Sustain remains in Dockyard after last week's transit past the North Shore.

US Navy personnel from the Mobile Diving And Salvage, Unit Two, are conducting repairs and maintenance, expected to be complete by Friday.

Two tugs, the Ensign and the Crusader , on contract to the US Navy and owned by the shipping firm Crowley, are assisting in repairs.

The 552-foot long by 124-foot wide dry dock was on a coastal journey from Norfolk, Virginia to Jacksonville, Florida when it came to the assistance of the tug Mohawk when its tow lines snapped in heavy seas.

Sustain , with the assistance of the Ensign and Crusader was able to assist the Mohawk in attaching temporary lines and it was decided to put into Bermuda to effect full repairs.

Captain Robert DeStefano -- leading the repairs -- has 25 years of experience and has served in operations all over the world, including the Persian Gulf in minesweeping operations.

He is assisted by Jim Doc Ruth and Phil Beierl, Commanding Officer.

These trained experts are able to assist the floating dry dock in rigging primary and alternate emergency back-up lines and are able to control flooding. Also as deep sea diving experts, they can do underwater repairs and maintenance.

"It would be nice if I could do some diving here but the water isn't warm enough and if I had known I was going to be here for this long, I would have brought my golf clubs,'' said Chuck Blanchard, 2nd Class Bosun's Mate on his first visit to Bermuda.

Mr Blanchard said he is not looking forward to the return journey to Florida, as some men from the salvage unit will be required to serve on the dry dock which has few facilities on board.

When The Royal Gazette visited the Second World War era dry dock, US Navy personnel were busy harnessing tow lines with the assistance of a crane.

They are quite exposed to the elements and are hoping that the return journey is achieved without further delay.