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What is P-209 Dry Dock 5?
P-209 is the Department of the Navy military construction project to deliver Dry Dock 5 at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF). The dock is intended to replace Dry Dock 3, a World War II-era facility that the Navy says is too shallow for newer, larger Virginia-class attack submarines. The Navy’s 2021 project flyer describes the new graving dry dock as expanding depot-level maintenance capability for current and future fast-attack submarines.
Dry Dock 5 is part of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP), the Navy’s long-term effort to recapitalize infrastructure and industrial plant equipment at its four public shipyards. Mark Edelson, the program executive officer for Infrastructure and Expeditionary, described SIOP as an effort to expand shipyard capacity and optimize shipyard configuration for the maintenance needs of the nuclear-powered fleet.
What does dewatering mean?
Dewatering is the removal of water from a bounded work area. At Dry Dock 5, crews are preparing to pump water out from inside a cofferdam built in the harbor. Once the water is removed, the submerged foundation will be exposed, allowing construction of permanent dry-dock walls in a dry workspace.
#1 Best Overall
- Authentic N Scale 1:160 Shipyard Diorama Piece – Precision 3D printed floating dry dock perfectly scaled for N gauge railroad layouts. Comes complete with a miniature cargo vessel and 40ft shipping container to build a realistic harbor & ship repair scene. This is an assembly model kit, simple assembly required.
- Optimized Internal Clearance 50mm – 50mm inner bay space accommodates the included cargo ship (120×25×35mm). Overall model dimension:135×88×53mm, container size:74×15×15mm, ideal for detailed port diorama construction.
- High Detail Miniature Dock Structure – Features textured dock walls, safety railings, ladders and window details. Realistic floating dry dock design recreates real-world ship repair facilities for your N scale railway or harbor scene.
- Great for Model Railway & Wargame Dioramas – Perfect scenery accessory for N gauge train layouts, port scenes, shipyard displays, miniature photography and hobby diorama building. Easy to paint and customize to match your existing scene.
- Unpainted Assembly Model Kit – Raw 3D printed parts, requires simple assembly. Ideal for hobbyists, model builders and collectors to paint, weather and personalize their unique shipyard diorama. Not suitable for children under 14 years.
The October 6, 2026 project report describes this preparation as a key safety phase: the work area is about 60 feet below the adjacent waterline. Capt. Chris Coggins, commanding officer of Officer in Charge of Construction Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, said, “The ongoing preparations for dewatering are the most important and dangerous part of the project.” He added, “Without completing this phase, workers will not be able to safely enter or build at a depth of 60 feet below the adjacent waterline.”
How do you build a dry dock underwater?
The construction sequence begins by creating a contained worksite, then building the foundation within it before pumping the area dry.
Rank #2
- 1/35th scale
- Two 30 cm modular elements
- Rope included for an authentic look
- Paint and glue not included
- Build the cofferdam. Steel pipe piles and interlocking sheet piles form temporary walls around the worksite. Braces and struts connect the walls to help them resist pressure from the surrounding harbor.
- Install the foundation units. Prefabricated concrete floor units made at Waipio Peninsula are transported by water and lowered onto the harbor floor.
- Connect the foundation. Underwater tremie concrete joins the floor units to the surrounding foundation.
- Dewater the enclosure. Crews pump water out from inside the cofferdam, exposing the foundation.
- Build the permanent walls. With the foundation accessible in a dry work area, crews can begin constructing the permanent dry-dock walls.
The cofferdam is temporary; it contains harbor water around the construction area while the foundation is built and the enclosure is prepared for pumping. Dewatering is therefore a transition from underwater work to construction in the exposed basin, not the final step in delivering an operational dock.
What else is included in the project?
The basin is only part of P-209. The 2026 project report lists utility systems, crane-rail foundations, pump stations, a water-treatment system, an electrical substation and 10 supporting buildings. The Navy’s 2021 flyer also identifies deep marine foundations, pile driving, tremie concrete placement, precast concrete delivered by barge, dredging, quay-wall and revetment work, utility distribution changes and other site improvements.
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- Can be used as a standalone piece or in combination with Italia #5612 Long Dock
- Ideal complement for all Italia 1/35 Scale Ships
- 1/35 Scale Dock
Why is Dry Dock 5 replacing Dry Dock 3?
The Navy’s stated rationale is the fit between the old dock and today’s submarines. Dry Dock 3 was built during World War II for vessels of that era and, according to PHNSY & IMF commander Capt. Ryan McCrillis, is too shallow for newer, larger Virginia-class attack submarines. McCrillis said Dry Dock 5 “will be the first dry dock built specifically for the latest nuclear submarines.” The Navy’s 2021 flyer likewise frames the project as increasing depot-level maintenance capability for current and future fast-attack submarines.
McCrillis said, “Dry Dock 5 will significantly upgrade our shipyard’s capabilities.” The current construction update, however, concerns preparations for dewatering; it does not say that the dock is available for submarine maintenance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This plastic model requires assembly and painting Adhesives, tools, paints, etc., sold separately
- 1/700 scale unpainted plastic assembly kit
- Etched parts, 3 different markings included
- Tacom TAKOM (China) Import Plastic Model
Rank #4
- NAVY YARD SERIES MODEL: 1/700 scale plastic model kit of the Charlestown Navy Yard Dry Dock I featuring detailed dry dock structure with crane and support facilities
- DETAILED COMPONENTS: Includes plastic model parts with intricate dry dock sections, photo-etched metal crane details, and realistic dock infrastructure for authentic naval yard display
- DIORAMA ENHANCEMENT: Perfect accessory for creating realistic naval base scenes and dioramas, designed to complement ship models and provide historical context for vessel maintenance operations
- AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Accurately represents the historic Charlestown Navy Yard dry dock facility with detailed structural elements including dock walls, support beams, and operational crane equipment
- MODEL SPECIFICATIONS: Part of the Navy Yard Series collection by Snowman Model; requires assembly, paint, and cement sold separately; recommended for experienced modelers
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