The Maintenance Data System (MDS) is exactly what it implies. The system works to collect maintenance data and to store it for future use. From the MDS comes the current ships maintenance project (CSMP), automated work request, pre-INSURV deficiency, and a means for the fleet to report configuration changes to equipment.

As a third class petty officer, you will be required to learn how to prepare various MDS forms. In the following sections of this chapter, we will discuss two of the MDS reports with which you will come into contact. These reports are (1) the Ships Maintenance Action Form (OPNAV 4790/2K), and (2) the Current Ships Maintenance Project.

Ships Maintenance Action Form

The Ships Maintenance Action Form, OPNAV 4790/2K, is used by maintenance personnel to report deferred maintenance actions and completed maintenance actions (including those previously deferred). This form also allows the entry of screening and planning information for management and control of intermediate maintenance activity workloads.

The OPNAV 4790/2K is originated in the work center. It is screened by the division officer and engineer officer for accuracy and legibility. It is then initialed by the division officer and engineer officer before being forwarded to the 3-M coordinator. When the form is used to defer maintenance, the 3-M coordinator will send two copies of it back to the originating work center to hold on file. When the deferred maintenance is completed, one of the copies is used to document the completion of the maintenance.

Current Ships Maintenance Project

The standard CSMP is a computer-produced report. It lists deferred maintenance and alterations which have been identified through Maintenance Data Collection System (MDCS) reporting. Copies of the CSMP should be received monthly. The engineer officer gets a copy for each of the engineering department work centers. Each work center gets a copy with its own deferred maintenance only.

The purpose of the CSMP is to provide ship-board maintenance managers with a consolidated listing of deferred corrective maintenance so they can manage and control its accomplishment. The work center supervisor is responsible for ensuring the CSMP accurately describes the material condition of his work center.

Each month when a new CSMP is received, verified, and updated, the old CSMP may be destroyed.

The current Ships Maintenance and Material Management (3-M) Manual, OPNAVINST 4790.4, contains complete instructions and procedures for the completion and routing of all 3-M Systems forms.