In theory C Exams can be carried out by the crews in open space with the help of the DDS' fleet of Extender oilers but because of the dangerous situation and the sheet amount of ships being deployed the Extender fleet is being fully stretched and C Exams cannot be carried out on many ships as they would be out of action for several days (see below) and thus tie up other assets to protect them. Some ships are also overdue for their A & B Exams and this is causing problems as systems begin to break down. One Isometric frigate is thought to be restricted to 300c because of cracks in a hull structure beam that should be replaced but the ship cannot be spared.
A spokesman at GHQ said that as new ships entered the fleet and ships returned from repair then the ships currently deployed would gradually be released for maintenance. He also said that the DDS had given priority to Extender oiler construction and within a few months 2 more would be available.
DDS Ship Maintenance "Exams"
- Exam A - total refit including replacing stressed hull and structure parts, reactor and computer cores shut down. Typically 4-6 months work. Usually done to a ship every 3-4 years at major port facilities.
- Exam B - partial refit including a full check of the ship's structure, replacing worn parts, filters and wearables et cetera. Reactor core left on though computer core may be shut off depending on work to be done. Typically 2-3 weeks work. Usually done at least once a year especially after long missions at major port facilities.
- Exam C - replacing wearables and checking key systems and structure. Can be done in smaller facilities or even by crew in deep-space. Typically 4-5 days work. Usually done after every mission.
- Exam D - topping up tanks and checking key systems. Replacing any worn or broken parts (that can be done at the facilities currently at). Usually done at smaller facilities and in space. Typically a few hours work. Usually done every few weeks.
