Newsletter: April/May 2010 Newsletter

Our guest speakers will be Tom Vaughan, Board Champion of READY WHEN THE TIME COMES (RWTC) and Pam Wakefield, Disaster Services Manager, Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross. They will discuss a new program, READY WHEN THE TIME COMES. RWTC is a program of the American Red Cross that provides volunteers from partner companies and community organizations to be immediately ready to help in the time of a local, large-scale disaster. RWTC volunteers serve as “reserves” that can be called up when disaster response requires more than the normal corps of local disaster volunteers.

 

Each year, the American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disaster incidents – hurricanes, fires, storms, floods, tornados, explosions, etc. – serving those affected with shelter, mass care and financial assistance.  This requires not only Red Cross employees and trained disaster volunteers but also specially trained, quickly mobilized volunteers who can fill specific needs. RWTC is designed to recruit and prepare those volunteers. Please come and learn more about this much-needed program.

Our guest speaker was Capt. Tim Corrigan, USN, Director, Surface Ship Life Cycle Management Activity. Partnering with the Fleet, the SSLCM Activity assesses and manages the maintenance requirements throughout the life cycle of surface ships, enabling more precise and accurate planning and budgeting. The SSLCM is modeled after two successful and similar programs; the Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity and the Carrier Planning Activity (CPA).

 

SSLCM is conducting a detailed technical review of surface ship class maintenance plans to make certain we understand the full maintenance requirement necessary to reach expected service life for these platforms. SSLCM has completed the update on two of our larger ship classes, the DDG 51 and the LSD 41/49 classes. They are currently working on the CG 47 and LHA 4 classes. Next year, they plan to complete the LPD-17 and LCS classes. 

 

SSLCM is now the designated life cycle organization responsible for maintaining the Integrated Class Maintenance Plans, building availability work packages, and providing technical oversight/approval for Fleet work deferral requests.

We have extended an invitation to Virginia Senator Frank Wagner to be our guest speaker in May. He has been asked to provide a Commonwealth of Virginia legislative update.

The Board of Directors approved the following new members:

            Railway Specialties Corporation

            Global Services Corporation

This brings VSRA’s total membership to 190 companies.

Railway Specialties Corporation, founded in 1915, is now over 90 years old.  The company officers are third-generation of the founding family and remain highly focused on the precision design and reputable customer service that has been a mainstay of Railway Specialties Corporation products and services.  The main fabrication facility was established and remains in Bristol, PA since 1929. Through the years, we have continued to service the railroad and chemical industries, and for more than 60 years, we have continued to service the marine industry through U.S. Naval Shipyards as well as the many private shipyards throughout the world. In 1941, we were mobilized by the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy into production for the military and the war effort.  For the past 40 years, we have supplied ALL of the watertight doors, hatches and scuttles (along with a small variety of manholes) for ALL of the CVN Nuclear Aircraft Carriers in the U.S. Navy fleet.  These ships were all built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.  We can proudly state that in this 30 years of service, we have never had a rejection due to quality or workmanship. We are at your service and take great pride in the quality of our products and our ability to provide on-time deliveries. Try us.  You will appreciate our experience and commitment to customer service.  We look forward to serving you and thank you for your interest.

Global Services Corp was established in 1997, initially to provide information technology support to the US Armed Forces.  Headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and with regional offices and facilities in California, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the company has expanded its core capabilities to include design and engineering, training, technology, logistics, administrative, and shipboard alteration services to military customers throughout the continental United States and at military facilities overseas. Presently, the company employs over 150 highly trained technical specialists located at its principal facilities and at individual military facilities located throughout the United States. Over 75 percent of the work force is comprised of veterans of the Armed Forces. The company was founded upon a firm commitment to quality, as expounded in its motto:“Quality, Competence, Integrity.”

Date:   Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Location: Troutman Sanders Multi-Purpose Room, 20th floor

(222 Central Park Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23462)

Registration begins at 8:30 am

Time: 9:00am-1:30pm

Price: $60.00 per person

Agenda:

* John Di Dio—“AAP’s”

* Victoria McCoy, Goodman and Company; “Strategic Evaluations/Planning”

* Tammy Colvin, TASC; “ERISA Compliance”

* Chris Abel, Troutman Sanders; “Electronic Communication/Monitoring Social Networking Issues” 

 

 

By: Robert D. Cass, Mid Atlantic, PLLC

 

Hampton Roads is undeniably the birthplace of our national maritime heritage. It can be argued that the history of our region is the history of our country. From our humble beginnings, we have been building the ships that keep many countries safe, as well as keep commerce lanes open and bustling with the latest commercial vessels.

 

None of this should be taken for granted. If it weren’t for the extraordinary measures that small groups of patriots took, we might not look like the country we are today. Many of those men and women crossed paths in Hampton Roads at one time or another. Indeed, some of those small groups of patriots are still around and are still taking extraordinary measures to make sure that our interests are safe and our shipping lanes are filled with quality commercial vessels.

 

Some of those small groups can be seen in the midst of our very own Virginia Ship Repair Association. In this new millennium, we are not necessarily faced with the same challenges that our forefathers were faced with, but we are still faced with challenges. However, our challenges today are no less critical than the ones we faced as a country over 300 years ago. In fact, it may be said that our challenges today are far more complex. Patriots don’t necessarily look like they did back in revolutionary or civil war periods; but if you look closely, they are among us.

 

Steve Solomon, CFO of International Flooring and Protective Coatings, Inc. is a long-time supporter of VSRA. In order to keep jobs on track and under budget, Steve Solomon and his brother John have invested in climate-controlled containment. These are not your every day tents; these are mammoth, portable, climate-controlled super tents that allow time-sensitive work to be completed on schedule. This is what can be called an extraordinary measure. These types of commitments are no less patriotic than the ones that our forefathers have made. In the middle of cutbacks and economic downturn, we find companies and individuals digging deeply into their own reserves to make sure that we stay ahead of the rest of the world in the ship building community.

 

There are extraordinary measures being taken every day by those large and small companies that are committed to the strength of our nation, and it is humbling to know that many of them are long-standing members of the Virginia Ship Repair Association. To those patriot-companies that dig deeper and find extraordinary ways to keep us thriving, thank you.

By: Hunter Frischkorn

 

In March, Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, the Executive Director of The Elizabeth River Project (“ERP”), addressed the Rotary Club of Norfolk.  For over seventeen years, she has championed the ambitious efforts of the non-profit organization by partnering with government, businesses and community organizers to restore one of our most polluted tributaries.   From the Swimmable Fishable Campaign of 2020 to Paradise Park, this non-profit organization has been one of the most creative and positive voices of environmental stewardship for our region.   It has even been recognized by the National Environmental Protection Agency as a nationwide model of how sustainable development organizations can partner with industry.  

 

Currently, the Virginia Ship Repair Association and certain member companies such as Crofton Diving, Colonna's, BAE Systems and Earl Industries have taken leading roles in the maintenance of the Learning Barge, an environmental education vessel for students, while other VSRA members like Beach Marine Service, Marine Hydraulics and Metro Machine have been recognized by the ERP for their pollution prevention programs. 

 

If either you or your organization is interested in contributing to the ERP, in becoming a River Star like one of the companies mentioned above, or just volunteering your time, please go to the link below to find out how you might become more involved.

 

 http://www.elizabethriver.org/Contact_Us.aspx

The Communications Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2010 Annual Survey.   We will publish the results in next month’s newsletter. 

Please nominate your top Junior and Senior Tradesman for our 2010 VSRF Tradesman of the Year Award. Many of the companies who have participated use this award as a way to recognize their top performers and communicate the pride we all have in the work our trades people do all year long.

 

All nominees will be recognized, and the winners will be announced at the VSRA General Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, May 18th at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth.

 

Award winners will also be recognized at the National Maritime Day celebration on May 21st at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk.  

 

Don’t delay in nominating one of your employees.  The deadline for applications is April 29, 2010. Go to www.virginiashiprepair.org

VSRA is pleased to host career days at local high schools. Please volunteer to attend if it all possible. Attendance at these events is imperative to assuring a successful future for Ship Repair in Hampton Roads. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Martin Erickson directly via email or phone.

 

Blair Middle School--Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 8:15am to 9:15am. 730 Spotswood Ave. Norfolk, VA 23517.POC--Pat Tabron email: ptabron@nps.k12.va.us phone: 628-2400 x3009

 

Northside Middle School--Friday, April 23, 2010 from 1:40pm to 2:40pm. 8720 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23503. POC--Pat Tabron email: ptabron@nps.k12.va.us phone: 628-2400 x3009

 

Denbigh High School--Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 8:30am to 10:00am. 259 Denbigh Blvd. Newport News 23608. POC--Cynthia Cherry-email: cynthia.cherry@nn.k12.va.us phone: 757-886-7700 x24504

 

19th Annual Suffolk Public Schools Career Expo--Thursday April 29, 2010-from 7:30am-2:00pm.  The Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Conference Center at 100 E. Constance Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.  (Graduating Seniors who have completed career and tech ed programs.) POC--Gail Bess phone-757-925-6760; email-gabess@spsk12.net For additional information: Suffolk PS--Career Expo-4-29-2010

**If you are interested in attending any of the above Career Days please contact Martin Erickson or Josephine Anderson, to sign up.  The VSRA office number is 757-233-7034 or email at info@VirginiaShipRepair.org

This competition for middle school student promotes ship repair industry awareness, while increasing competitive mathematical, analytical and conceptual skills in students. Participation has grown from two teams the first year to 11 this year. This year, we opened the competition to Peninsula schools. The teams will use LEGO Digital Design software to design a portion of a ship that is often repaired in Hampton Roads, prepare an 800 word essay on ship repair occupations, and prepare a presentation on the design and essay and deliver it on competition day, April 23, at Nauticus. All are welcome to attend to watch the presentations.

 

Competition is scheduled for April 23, 2010. The winning teams will receive:

1^st Place: A specially designed LEGO kit for the students to build a real 3D model of their design, tickets to Nauticus for the design team, and a $500 cash award/incentive for the school.

 

2^nd Place: A $250 cash award/incentive for the school and tickets to Nauticus for the design team.

 

3rd Place: Tickets to Nauticus for the design team.

 

The teams and their advisors are:

 

Blair Middle School-Norfolk

David Burt-WR Systems

 

Crittenden Middle School-Newport News

DeWitt Davis-Marine Consulting Ltd.

 

John F. Kennedy Middle School-Suffolk

Fred Pasquine-Earl Industries  

 

Forest Glen Middle School-Suffolk

Keith Hubble-Beach Panels and Controls

 

Lake Taylor Middle School-Norfolk

Scott Keheley-Earl Manufacturing

 

Kings Fork Middle School-Suffolk

Viki Rodriguez-Colonna’s Shipyard

 

The School for International Studies at Meadowbrook-Norfolk

Lee Scarbrow-Tecnico Corporation

Ted Ansell-Tecnico Corporation

 

Northside Middle School-Norfolk

Jay Matthews-BAE Systems

 

Norview Middle School-Norfolk

Rick Schall-Chugach

 

Huntington Middle School-Newport News

Malcolm Fortson-Northrop Grumman

 

Rosemont Middle School-Norfolk

Mike Villanueva-BAE Systems

 

We wish the best of luck to all of the teams, and we thank all of the volunteers who help make this event possible. 

 

4/21/09 – TASC will host Mr. Stuart Whitehead, Executive Director, Joint Capabilities Management, J8 United States Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). He will speak about his directorate. The TASC Monthly Luncheon is held at the Norfolk Airport Hilton at 11:30 a.m. To register for this event, go to www.tasc-tgic.org.

 

4/29/10 – The Navy League of Hampton Roads will host Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operation at Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center. 1800 Reception, 1900 Dinner. Dress is business attire. To make reservations, contact the office by April 22, 2010 at (757) 486-7654.

 

5/4/10 – 5/7/10 – OSHA Maritime Shipyard Training, Course #5400. Price $750. Apply on-line at http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/exten/osha5400/. For additional information, call Dewitt Davis at (757) 495-3524.

 

5/13/10 - The Tidewater Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers will host CAPT Chris Meyer, Commander NSWC Carderock, at the Drydock Club at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. 1130-1300 Lunch and Program. Make your reservations using the on-line form at www.asne-tw.org.

 

5/19/10 - The Tidewater Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers will hold its annual Social, at the Norfolk Yacht Club. 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner. Make your reservations using the on-line form at www.asne-tw.org. All are welcome to attend.

 

5/19/10 – The OSHA Partnership meeting will be held at 0900 at Tecnico Corporation, 831 Industrial Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324.

 

6/7-6/10/10 – The Mega Rust 2010 Conference will be held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, San Diego, CA.   For registration information, go to www.navalengineers.org and select “events”, then “upcoming events”. Click on Mega Rust.

At the March meeting, the committee met to review the April/May newsletter. The committee meets the second Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the QED conference room at 4646 N. Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

 

At the March meeting, the committee was briefed on the National Ship Repair Conference, Fleet Maintenance Week, and TASC-TGIC . The committee meets the first Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Troutman Sanders conference room, 150 Main Street, 16th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510.

 

At the January meeting, the committee elected Mike Ewing as the chairman. The committee meets on odd-numbered months on the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

 

The committee did not meet in March. The committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. in the Troutman Sanders Conference Room, 150 Main Street, 16th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510.

 

At the March meeting, the committee discussed the status of audits. Ken Edwards discussed some of the changes to the FY 2011 standard items. The committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the Q.E.D. Systems, Inc. Conference Room, 4646 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

 

At the March meeting, the committee discussed the planning for the Safety Seminar, Safety Suggestions, Safety Orientation, and OSHA’s proposed rules for notification of hexavalent chromium exposure. The committee meets the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

                                                                                                

At the March meeting, the committee was told the safety training was going well. If prime contractors want access to the NSAA website, they need to request access. The committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Conference Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707.

We are pleased to offer the following courses:

 

Location sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $90.00 VSRA members; $125.00 Non VSRA members

DATES:  April 28, May 26, September 29, October 27, November 17, December 16, 2010, 7:30 am – 11:30 am

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

 

Location sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $115.00 VSRA members; $150.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: April 27, May 27, September 28, October 26, November 16, December 15, 2010, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

Emergency First Responders ~ OSHA Approved/Internationally Accepted

*This certification is OSHA-approved/internationally accepted and is a step beyond the Red Cross certification and is more oriented to industrial environments.* This course provides comprehensive instruction in CPR and First Aid, as well as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, emergency oxygen administration and conscious choking management skills. Upon successful completion of this course, attendees receive a Certification Card.

 

 

COST: $325.00 VSRA members; $465.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 27-28, August 26-27, October 7-8, December 2-3, 2010, 7:30am - 3:30pm

LOCATION: Tecnico Corporation, 831 Industrial Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324

 

This course is designed for supervisors with more than five years of experience. Course learning centers on leadership demands, behavioral management, tracking professional goals, and developing stronger workers through career development and goal setting. The course delivers 16+ hours of lecture, video, hand-on activities, the Kouzes & Posner Leadership Challenge System and text-based assignments over a two-day period. Students spend four hours developing leadership communication patterns using job safety analysis, inspection and investigation scenarios to apply what they learned to real world examples.

 

 

Location sponsored by Old Dominion University

COST: $485.00 VSRA members; $575.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, September 3, September 10, September 17, September 24, October 29, November 5, November 12, November 19, 2010, 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: Tecnico Corporation, 831 Industrial Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324

 

This course weaves Leadership and Management applications throughout the National Safety Council course.  Supervisors will learn about the labor market, their own leadership and management strengths and how to effect change on the waterfront.  Passing students receive the National Safety Council Supervisors Certification. This course will be for 4 weeks, only on Friday.  The course dates are Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6, and Feb 13 2009.  This course is for supervisors with 5 years or less experience.

 

 

COST: $250.00 VSRA members; $325.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 20-21, October 21-22, 2010, 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Standard Items Update uses on-line capabilities along with text copy to overview Standard Items and hone-in on pertinent changes for 2000-2010. After a general overview, the instructor covers the material MOST relevant to the students in class. Little time is wasted in covering areas that students don't need. So, every class is different, but they meet all needs of the students and companies who send them! There are only 15 slots for this course, so please don't delay in signing up those employees who need this training!

 

 

Location sponsored by Earl Industries

COST: $225.00 VSRA members; $275.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: June 22-24, October 13-15, November 30-December 2, 2010, 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: Metropolitan Labs, 330 County St.,  Portsmouth, VA 23707

                                                                                            

This course will review coating documents such as SSPC PA-2, NSTM Chapter 631 and NSTM Chapter 634 for non-skid and others. It will also provide a thorough review of SI 009-32 and applicable sections of 009-04. Recent changes to the NAVSEA NBPI Exam have resulted in lower pass rates. In order to better prepare your workers, VSRA is offering a 1-1/2-day pre-course specifically to address exam standards and increase inspector-level knowledge. Each attendee will receive a current copy of NAVSEA Standard Items 009-32 and 009-04.

 

 

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

COST: $675.00 VSRA members; $850.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: July 12-16, October 25-29, December 6-10, 2010, 7:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION: MARMC Building LF-18, Norfolk Naval Base

 

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants. A score of 80% or higher is required to be eligible for the certification. Students passing the exam will receive a four-year certification and a laminated wallet card from SSPC. Test results will come directly from SSPC. 

 

Due to changes with the SSPC, all documents related to this course need to be submitted to the SSPC representative, Jeannine Bodack. Her email address is: bodack@sspc.org, phone: 877-281-7772 x 2204, fax: 412-281-9995. These documents must be submitted two weeks before the first day of class. Please go to the SSPC website http://www.sspc.org to view the current required documents.

 

 

This training is certified by NAVSEA

COST: $725.00 VSRA Members; $845.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: May 17-21, August 23-27, November 1-15, 2010, 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23702

 

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants. This course delivers 35+ hours of lecture, video, hands-on lab work and text-based assignments over a five day period. A score of 70% or higher on the comprehensive exam is required for successful completion. The course covers all NAVSEA requirements and skill sets in depth. Upon successful completion of this course, the attendee will receive a NAVSEA Cableway Certification Card.

 

 

Location sponsored by Earl Industries

COST: $375.00 VSRA Members; $475.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: May 4-7, September 14-17, 2010, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION:  Metropolitan Labs, 330 County St., Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

This course is directed to rising welders and shipfitters, or workers who need a familiarity with blueprint terminology, symbols and design features specific to ships. The course provides 28 hours of instruction with take-home activities, 3 quizzes and a final exam.  Attendees will receive critical drawing analysis experience, as well as hands-on blueprint activities.  For a complete course outline please contact the VSRA office.

 

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars. Online registrations are preferred; however, phone reservations can be accommodated. For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034.

 

**Please note, you must be logged in to receive the discounted VSRA price for seminars.**

 

Refund & Cancellation Policy: VSRA offers courses at a greatly reduced rate to our members. Cancellations must be made within 4 business days of the course date to receive full credit contingent on slots being filled. Late cancellations will be given a 50% credit towards future training or 100% if open slot is filled. No-shows WILL BE CHARGED the course fee, and no refunds will be made. Substitutions are welcome; however, please contact the VSRA office as soon as possible. If VSRA has to reschedule or cancel a course, we will work with your company to place employees in a future training course.