VSRA News

Via WVEC: NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) - The piers and dry docks at the old Metro Machine, now NASSCO, are not exactly humming with activity right now. It's simple mathematics. In 2012, there were 56 surface combatant Navy warships based here. Today, it's 38.

"That's concerning because they've got to pay their bills and they pay their bills by keeping ships there and keeping them repaired," said Crow, who is hopeful there will be brighter days ahead.

"In the summer, we should see relief," he said. "And it looks like that should continue to improve on into fiscal year  '17 and through a good part of fiscal year '17."

Please click here to see Mike Gooding's complete WVEC 13News Now story on local shipyards, including an interview with VSRA President Bill Crow.

Click here to view the full story from The Virginian-Pilot!

The Virginia Maritime Association commissioned the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary to produce a comprehensive report of the economic impacts of Virginia’s commercial ports and maritime industry. This independently prepared report documents FY 2013 economic and fiscal impacts of both domestic and international commerce through Virginia’s ports and related activities. “The time has come to tell the full story of the economic impacts the commercial maritime industry has on the entire Commonwealth,” says Virginia Maritime Association Board President Raymond A. Newlon. “This study confirms what most within the industry have always known, businesses throughout Virginia rely on Virginia’s ports directly or indirectly.”

Please click here to view the full report.

Opportunity Inc. recently released their Winter 2016 Newsletter, which is the inaugural newsletter for the organization.

Please click here to view the newsletter and learn more about OppInc and workforce development solutions available.

Norfolk, VA – The Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF) is hosting a shipyard tour for students from Buckingham County Career & Technical Center on Monday, November 30, 2015. Students will tour Colonna’s Shipyard, Tecnico Corporation, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, and the USS Bataan, learning about potential careers in the ship repair industry and the vital role that local tradesmen play in maintaining the naval and commercial fleets in the Port of Norfolk.

Continuing Resolutions hinder ship repair planning and production. Read the interview of Bill Crow with Mike Gooding of WVEC at the link provided below explaining why our industry must contuinue to educate elected officials on the long-term effects Continuing Resolutions have on the the strength of our Naval fleet.

WVEC Interview on "Cromnibus" Budget

Video Version

On September 11, 2014, following the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium, the first Industry Navy Discussion Panel (INDP) which is the replacement for the Joint Industry/Navy Improvements Initiative (JINII), was convened. 

The panel included Rear Admiral Richard D. Berkey, Deputy Chief of Staff, Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Rear Admiral William J. Galinis, Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers (CNRMC); and Mr. Dale Hirschman, Technical Director, CNRMC.  Attendees included over one hundred industry representatives.

 Mr. Hirschman led the discussion of several current, critical issues facing both the Navy and industry in the area of shipbuilding, repair and modernization, each of which was followed by a lively discussion by the attendees:

Please click on the link to the full article located on page 57-58.

Maritime Reporter and Engineering Interview with Vice Adm. Hilarides

In support of our Strategic Plan's direction for workforce development, the Virginia Ship Repair Association, through the support and dedicated efforts of the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation, launched a new program designed to reach out to the 23 Public Technical Schools in Virginia.

Full Pilot Online Article