Newsletter: March/April 2009 Newsletter

The next meeting of the VSRA General Membership is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2009  at 12:00 Noon, at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth.  Our guest speaker will be Senator Frank Wagner, who will provide us an invaluable insight into this year's legislative session with his legislative update.  Senator Wagner is a member of the following committees: Commerce and Labor, General Laws and Technology, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Transportation.  Senator Wagner’s Senate homepage is http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/23b0c13df27a5ef585256fc7004febb2/0639e36ab9e1c06585256aa0007199a2?OpenDocument.

Mal Branch reported that 2 new members had been voted in by the VSRA Board of Directors.  The members welcomed: Maintenance & Inspection Services, Inc. (Morganton N.C.) and Marine & Industrial Coatings, LLC (Chesapeake VA).

 

The guest speaker, CAPT Pat Trapp, USCG Sector Hampton Roads, updated guests on his many roles in our region and Re-organization/Modernization of the US Coast Guard.  Some points of his presentation included:

 

USCG Reorganization/Modernization—proposed to Congress:

 

By Hunter Frischkorn

 

In February, President Obama signed the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009".   The Act has a number of purposes, from preserving and promoting jobs to investing in transportation and environmental protection. While the implications of the Act may be far-reaching and the outcome uncertain, there is one part of the 407 page Act which specifically addresses Longshore Reform by amending Section 2(3)(F) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.  

 

It hopes to stimulate growth for the recreational marine industry by striking the language which states that any employer who is in the business of repairing or dismantling recreational boats over 65 feet must carry USL&H coverage.  This amendment, however, does not apply to those employers or individuals who are involved in boat building, marine contractors, or repairers of any commercial vessels.  

 

By Josh Brown, The Virginian-Pilot

                                                             

Colonna's Shipyard Inc., a small, private ship-repair company in Norfolk, is planning a $14 million expansion, its chief executive said Friday.

 

The company submitted plans to the Army Corps of Engineers last month for the project, which includes a 550-foot bulkhead, a 257-foot pier and a 433-foot pier to be added at the shipyard along the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River.

 

Thomas Godfrey Jr., the ship-repair company's president and chief executive, said construction on the expansion would begin during the second half of this year and take two years to complete.

 

"We're really excited about it," Godfrey said. "This area has been underutilized for a very long time. It had not been developed to handle ship repair of any category."

 

The company, which employs between 400 and 500 workers, operates two floating dry docks and two marine railways at its repair facility.

 

The expansion also would require the dredging of 69,450 cubic yards from the basin just west of Pescara Creek, according to the application. The dredging will allow what the company is calling its West Yard to accommodate vessels and a 1,000-ton boat lift. Godfrey said the boat lift would be the largest of its kind in the country and enable the business to repair a variety of private and government vessels.

 

The dredged sediment would be transferred to the Craney Island Rehandling Basin in Portsmouth, according to the application. The corps review process ends March 30.

 

Godfrey said plans for the expansion have been in the works for the past year and would eventually result in the company expanding its work force by between 10 and 15 percent.

 

The company does ship repair work for both the military and private companies. Last year, Colonna's received $21.6 million under federal contracts, according to the federal Web site USAspending.gov.

 

Founded in 1875, Colonna's says it is the nation's oldest private ship-repair company. The firm cut its teeth repairing all types of wooden commercial sailing ships. In the 1920s, the yard branched into boat building as well. By the 1950s, Colonna's became strictly a ship repairer again.

By Philip Walzer, The Virginian-Pilot

It starts the first day on the job: New employees get a candy bar imprinted with the company's logo and a handwritten welcome note from the boss.

 

Later, they can win a $100 bonus for a thumbs- up from a client. Their ideas are welcome at monthly staff meetings. Their work schedules are easily molded around personal needs.

 

WR Systems is a great place to work, according to the American Psychological Association. On Sunday, the association named WR Systems the most "psychologically healthy workplace" in North America in the small, for-profit category.

 

"A lot of times, people giggle at you and say, 'That's cute, but how does that affect business?' " said Dave Edwards, senior vice president of the information technologies and engineering firm. "This is a real validation that doing good things for employees and trying to take care of them is OK."

 

WR Systems has its headquarters in Fairfax, but the award went to its Engineering Services Division, based in Norfolk Commerce Park. The Norfolk office has 213 employees - the bulk of the company's work force.

 

Based on employee feedback, the 26-year-old company has added mirrors in hallways and bought a defibrillator. Every piece of advice gets a response, Edwards said. "The worst thing you can do is to just blow off the suggestion."

 

Last year, WR Systems spent nearly $13,000 on the $100 bonuses, Edwards said. It also offered 116 "on-the-spot" rewards, from $50 to $100 each, when a manager spotted an employee doing good work.

 

David Hale is due to receive a $100 bonus after a client commended his work.

 

"It's good for morale," said Hale, a senior systems analyst. "You walk down the hallways here, and the walls are lined with these certificates."

 

Hale also appreciates the elastic schedules. He works a 7-to-4 shift, but "you've got crews coming in from 6 till 10 o'clock in the morning."

 

Hale has been with WR Systems for 10 years. Edwards said most employees have spent at least five years there.

In an effort to bring more value to our members, the Communication Committee has created the following survey.  We value your input!  Kindly take a couple of minutes to complete this survey, if you have not done so already. This survey is 9 questions, and will take less than 5 minutes to complete.

 

Email link:

 

Thank you for your participation. We appreciate your valuable input, which benefits the Virginia Ship Repair Association.

Tallwood High School Career Fair  Friday March 13, 2009 from 8am-1pm in the Library Media Center.  1668 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. 

 

Granby High School Career Fair  Thursday March 26, 2009 from 9:00am-12:30pm at their Media Center.  Their address is 7101 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505.  A light breakfast will be provided to volunteers.

 

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

In wooden ships, the "devil" was the longest seam of the ship. It ran from the bow to the stern. When at sea and the "devil" had to be caulked, the sailor sat in a bo'sun's chair to do so. He was suspended between the "devil" and the sea and the "deep" in a very precarious position, especially when the ship was underway.

 

Today the expression "devil to pay" is used primarily to describe having an unpleasant result from some action that has been taken, as in someone has done something they shouldn't have and, as a result, "there will be the devil to pay." Originally, this expression described one of the unpleasant tasks aboard a wooden ship.

The "devil" was the wooden ship's longest seam in the hull. Caulking was done with "pay" or pitch (a kind of tar). The task of "paying the devil" (caulking the longest seam) by squatting in the bilges was despised by every seaman.

Times have changed and what used to work to motivate employees and keep them engaged isn’t as effective anymore. The expectations workers have from their leadership has shifted across Generations. Complicating the issue is the fact that never before have companies had four Generations working together at the same time. 

 

This half-day seminar is for executives, managers and professionals who have not attended the Supervisor courses, but desire this information to help them plan better strategies for younger workers coming into ship repair.

 

The seminar exposes some of the unique advantages each Generation brings to the table and how they can leverage differences to create stronger teams and a more motivated workforce. 

 

http://www.virginiashiprepair.org/confdetails.asp?ID=3352

Communications Committee

The committee discussed the contents of the February/March newsletter and approved the second distribution of the survey to the general membership. 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 235455.

 

Contracts Committee

Dan Weckstein briefed the committee on the reporting requirements and increased enforcement of ethics and OCI rules. Mal Branch briefed the committee on the “white paper” the VSRA Board sent to the legislature to illustrate the importance of the ship repair industry in this area and all of Virginia. 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.

 

Human Resources Committee

An article providing advice about taking employment applications over the internet was distributed. The committee also reviewed a copy of President Obama’s January 30th Executive Order giving qualified incumbent workers on government contracts governed by the Service Contracts Act a right to hold on to their job even when the contract changes to a new contractor. The committee discussed the status of speakers for the May 20th HR-101 seminar. The guest speaker for the meeting was Karith Cohen, a veteran staff lawyer from the Norfolk office of the EEOC. Ms. Cohen spoke about HR “Do’s and Don’t’s”. 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.

 

Quality Assurance Committee

The committee members were reminded that MARMC needs 7 days to approve PCPs. The Joint Forces Maintenance Manual (JFMM) Revision B is out, and committee members were advised to review Chapters 7 and 11 to see what changes may impact them. The phased merger of MARMC and Norfolk Naval Shipyard will begin in June and be completed by October 1, 2009. 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.

 

Safety and Environmental Committee

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.

 

Security Committee

Lt. Inman provided a briefed the committee on the requirements for having both a TWIC and Port ID. TWIC enforcement at the ports began January 13 for unescorted access to secure areas. 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:

 

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder ½-Day Refresher Training

Location sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $85.00 VSRA members; $125.00 Non VSRA members

SESSION 1 DATES: March 19, April 29, May 28, June 25, Sept 17, Oct 21, Nov 5, and Dec 3 2009, 7:30 am – 11:30 am

SESSION 2 DATES: March 19, April 29, May 28, June 25, Sept 17, Oct 21, Nov 5, and Dec 3 2009, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

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

(See below—identical)

 

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder Certification

COST: $105.00 VSRA members; $150.00 Non VSRA members

DATE: March 18, 2009, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: BAE Systems, Bldg 205

DATE: April 28, 2009

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp

DATE: May 27,2009

LOCATION: Tecnico Corp.

DATE: June 24, 2009

LOCATION:  BAE Systems, Bldg 205

DATE: September 16, 2009

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp

DATE: Oct 20, 2009

LOCATION: Tecnico Corp.

DATE: Nov 4, 2009

LOCATION:  BAE Systems, Bldg 205

DATE: Dec 2, 2009

LOCATION: Tecnico Corp.

 

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.

 

 

Senior Supervisor’s Leadership Course

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

DATES: April 16-17, 7:30am - 3:30pm

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

DATE: October 15-16, 2009, 7:30am - 3:30pm

LOCATION: Earl Industries, 3128 Victory Blvd Portsmouth VA 23702

 

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.

 

 

Junior Supervisor’s Leadership and Safety Course

Location sponsored by Old Dominion University

COST: $425.00 VSRA members; $495.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5 2009, 7:30am - 3:30pm

LOCATION: Old Dominion University/Virginia Applied Technology and Professional Development Center, 4111 Monarch Way, Suite 106, Norfolk, VA 23508.

 

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.

 

 

NAVSEA Standard Items FY10 Training

Course approved by NAVSEA

COST: $225.00 VSRA members; $280.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 27-28, 2009 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp., 650 Chautauqua Ave Portsmouth VA 23707

DATE: June 17-18, 2009, 8:00am - 4:00pm

LOCATION: BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Bldg 205

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!

 

 

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Prep Course

COST: $175.00 VSRA members; $225.00 Non VSRA members

DATE: April 8-9, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: ODU/ VATPDC Bldg 4111 Norfolk

DATE: June 1-2, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA

DATE: September 30-October 1, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: ODU/ VATPDC Bldg 4111 Norfolk

DATE: December 2-3, 2009, 8:00am-4:30pm both days

LOCATION: BAE Systems, Norfolk Ship Repair Bldg 205

 

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.

 

 

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Training (NBPI)

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

Location sponsored by MARMC

COST: $625.00 VSRA members; $795.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: April 13-17, June 8-12, October 19-23, December 7-11, 2009, 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/training/nbpi_prereq.html to view the current required documents.

 

 

NAVSEA Cableway Training and Certification Training

This training is certified by NAVSEA

COST: $650.00 VSRA Members; $795.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: May 18-22, 2009, 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: BAE Systems, Norfolk Ship Repair

DATE: September 28-October 2 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd Portmouth

DATE: November 16-20 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp, Portsmouth

 

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.

 

 

Blueprint Reading and Technical Drawing Orientation

COST: $350.00 VSRA Members; $425.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: March 17-20, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION:  Earl Industries, Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA

DATE: September 15-18, 2009 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION: To be announced

 

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.