Auxiliary repair dock

An auxiliary repair dock (ARD) is a type of floating drydock employed by the U.S. Navy, especially during World War II.

The first auxiliary repair dock was the USS ARD-1, built by the Pacific Bridge Company and completed in September 1934.

ARD-1 was taken to a forward Naval base at Kerama Retto, Okinawa Island, to repair the many ships damaged by kamikaze attacks.

[1][2][3][4][5][6] Floating drydocks, both ARDs and some other types, are capable of flooding themselves to partially submerge underwater, opening up a stern door to permit a damaged vessel to enter.

Such work in battle areas was often of a temporary nature, primarily to return the damaged vessel to seaworthy condition.