With the help of a few tugboats, Enterprise (CVN 65) took a short journey up the James River from Newport News Shipbuilding’s Pier 2 to Dry Dock 12 on Feb. 4 – exactly 63 years after the decommissioned carrier’s keel was laid at the shipyard.

CVN 65 was moved so shipbuilders could begin work on upgrades to Pier 2. The next few months will involve upgrading all electrical, mechanical and structural systems at the pier to support the next availability. Built in 1942, Pier 2 has been upgraded several times, most recently in 2013.

“It’s the oldest pier we still have in service,” said Engineering Manager Michael Romanelli (O41). “Each of those past upgrades was to support the arrival of a new program.”

At the same time, a standoff will be built on the north side of Pier 3 to allow for the mooring of an aircraft carrier.

Decommissioned four years ago, CVN 65 – the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier – is now just feet away from where shipbuilders are working to construct the new Enterprise (CVN 80) in the North Yard.