Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility

The Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) is a United States Navy organization responsible for the storage, maintenance, and disposal of decommissioned naval vessels. Established after World War II, its primary mission is to preserve ships in reserve fleets, often referred to as “ghost fleets” or “mothball fleets,” for potential future reactivation or disposal. NISMF sites have been located in places such as Bremerton, Washington; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the decades, the facility has played a crucial role in managing the Navy’s surplus ships, supporting fleet readiness, and facilitating the recycling or sinking of obsolete vessels as artificial reefs.