JULY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The next meeting of the VSRA General Membership is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 12:00 Noon, at the Renaissance Hotel, Portsmouth. Our guest speaker will be RDML Thomas Moore, Deputy Director (N43B), Fleet Readiness Division, Department of the Navy.
| A second generation Naval officer, Rear Adm. Thomas J. Moore graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree in Math/Operations Analysis. He also holds a degree in Information Systems Management from George Washington University and a master of science and an engineer’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
As a surface nuclear trained officer for 13 years, he served in various operational and engineering billets aboard USS South Carolina (CGN 37) as machinery division officer, reactor training assistant and electrical officer, USS Virginia (CGN 38) as main propulsion assistant, USS Conyngham (DDG 17) as weapons officer and USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as the #1 plant station officer responsible for the defueling, refueling and testing of the ship’s two lead reactor plants during her 1991-1994 Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH). Additionally, ashore he served two years as a company officer at the United States Naval Academy.
In 1994, he was selected for lateral transfer to the Engineering Duty Officer Community where he served in various staff engineering, maintenance, technical and program management positions including: carrier overhaul project officer at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., where he led the overhaul of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and the first year of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) RCOH, assistant program manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312) in the office of the Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers, Aircraft Carrier Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) requirements officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N78) and five years in command as the Major Program Manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312) where he was responsible for the new construction of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the RCOH of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the life cycle management of all In-Service Aircraft Carriers.
In April 2008, he reported to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as the deputy director Fleet Readiness, OPNAV N43B.
Moore’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), and the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards).
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JUNE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING RECAP
The general membership was called to order by the VSRA Chairman, Tom Godfrey and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Joe Yurso. A total of 151 members and guests were in attendance.
Prior to the guest speaker remarks, Chairman Tom Godfrey recognized the Junior and Senior Tradesman nominees that were present: William Jackson; Marcus Jackson; Bruce King; William Ujczak; Kerwin Hewlett Jr.; Paul Estrella; David Williams; Jim Coakley; Gerald Nichols; Gary Effler; Paul Simmons; Lionel Medeiros.
The Junior Tradesman of the Year, Jeffrey Daley (AMSEC LLC) and Senior Tradesman of the Year, Robert Hughes (BAE Systems) received the following awards, presented by Tom Godfrey: an embroidered VSRA jacket noting their achievement, and a $100.00 gift certificate from Outback Steakhouse.
Membership: Mal Branch reported that 1 new member had been voted in by the VSRA Board of Directors. The members welcomed in: SunTrust Bank (Norfolk VA).
The guest speaker, Captain Lewis Nygard, LCSRON Commander, informed and questioned guests about the differences between sustainment & maintenance with the USS Freedom and USS Independence. Some points included:
Thanked all Tradesmen present for their hard efforts for the US Navy and the industry.
USS Freedom (LCS1)
1.) Sailed her prematurely
2.) Testing and Trials performed in the Bahamas
3.) 2 crews: Blue & Gold
4.) More surface area/ Volume
5.) Combat SS-21 Combat Systems (Lockheed Martin)
6.) 6 man watch team (condition 3)
7.) Condition Based Maintenance—Phase 1 &2
USS Independence (LCS 2)
1.) Delivery September 08 (Mobile AL) Commissioning in January 09
2.) 2 crews: Blue & Gold
3.) She has biggest Flight Deck in Surface Combat Fleet
4.) First “speeding ticket” was 45 knots
5.) TACTICS Combat System (General Dynamics)
6.) 5 man watch team (condition 3)
7.) Condition Based Maintenance—Phase 1
Maintenance Program: 6 to 10 weeks available per deployment cycle; up to 25 months; competitive bid contracts; Dry-Dock 8 years LM/ 5 years GD
Crew Preventative Maintenance: the crew performs daily, weekly, and monthly MRC’s; the Shipbuilder Team performs all other maintenance; 2 day avail every month
Continuous Maintenance Availability: Tri-annual/ 2 weeks (Fly Away Team); coincides with crew swaps; Shipbuilder Team leads the Fly Away Team
Tailored Mission Packages: 4 month rotations for sailors; “Train to Qualify”; add heavy maintenance and administrative support from ashore
Material Assessment Team—10 men & women that are part of the Availability Planning Team
Automation Vs Sailors: Operates with fewer sailors; Design requirement—modular simplicity; Reduced complexity decreases maintenance costs
Sustainment Vs Maintenance: Contractor performs PMS (rotational small crew are operators—build team of maintenance experts); Interim Support Plan (ISP)—new systems introduced to the Navy, source of support matrix are pre-determined maintenance providers; Condition Based Maintenance Approach—reduce PMS costs & increase reliability and improve AO; Assessment Teams—verify the condition of ship, document & guide maintenance processes.
With no further business before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.
AUGUST GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
There will NOT be a general membership meeting in August due to the golf tournament.
NOTES FROM JINII PLANNING SESSION
By Joe Yurso
JINII is the Joint Industry Navy Improvement Initiative. The second planning session was held 19 June 2009 at LF-18 Naval Station Norfolk, VA. The planning meetings are being held to prepare for the full meeting to be held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA. JINII is being held in conjunction with the American Society of Naval Engineers 2009 Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium. At the planning meeting, eighteen government representatives and sixteen industry representatives met for seven hours to discuss Strategic Maintenance Processes. Representatives from the Ship Repair Associations, American Shipbuilding Association, Shipbuilders Council of America and American Maritime Modernization Association attended for industry. A variety of topics included material condition of ships and how to achieve design service life of ships while being affordable. In addition, the impact and importance of understanding behavior of both government and contractors was highlighted. The necessity for classification of Board of Inspection and Survey Reports was revealed.
Some interesting statistics were revealed during the discussions. For example, 65% of Navy OM&N dollars are spent on maintenance, 60% of East Coast Ships were late (that is they did not meet the original completion date). From 1998-2005, the average life of a surface ship was 21.8 years. It should have been 30 years. To meet the plan of a 313 ship Navy, the average life of ships must be 40 years. According to the Fleet, a CVN receives 50% more maintenance than a surface combatant. Another interesting statement was made that there was no engineering basis for the 9-week availability criterion.
The Commander of the Regional Maintenance Centers (CRMC) has instituted a Surface Warfare Enterprise Assessment Program (SWEAP) to periodically and routinely evaluate ships and processes.
A “new” Cumbersome Work Practices Process has been developed and initiated by COMNAVSEA. Other than the agenda and a list of attendees, there was only one handout during the meeting. One of the presenters mentioned there were over one hundred slides and an effort would be made to provide that information separately at a later date.
The most meaningful outcome of the meeting was to provide an overview of the process that begins with Requirements Development, Programming & Budgeting, Appropriation & Apportionment, Planning (RMC & MSMO), Execution (RMC & MSMO). The weakness admittedly is at the very beginning to determine Requirements Development (TYCOM, FFC). It was made clear that without adequate determination of the requirements phase, it becomes difficult to properly achieve a successful process.
A limited discussion of the new organization Surface Ship Life Cycle Management (SSLCM) took place.
The preliminary agenda for the full JINII meeting scheduled for 1 October 2009 was developed. At the meeting's end, the topics for consideration included SSLCM, Port scheduling, ABS hull life, SSRAC, MSMO Spiral II, SWEAP, Consolidated PCP, INSURV TYCOM material condition and Safety.
FLEET MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION SYMPOSIUM 2009
The San Diego Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers is sponsoring FMMS 2009 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA. September 29 and 30, 2009 (the two days preceeding the JINII meeting).
FMMS 2009 is specifically designed to provide useful information and valuable networking opportunities for those who are involved in maintenance, refit, repair, conversion, modernization, service and support of naval ships and craft. FMMS 2009 will address the challenges of "Maintenance and Modernization Practices and Processes for the 21st Century Fleet."
FMMS 2009 will include prominent guest speakers, panelists and technical paper presentations from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and industry. VADM Kevin McCoy, COMNAVSEA is the luncheon speaker on the first day. Invited s
peakers and panelists include: VADM D.C. Curtis, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Forces; VADM Peter M. Hekman, USN (Ret.); RADM Joseph F. Campbell, USN, Deputy Commander, Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations, Naval Sea Systems Command; Mr. William H. Ryzewic, Deputy Chief of Staff for Fleet Maintenance Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; RDML Thomas J. Moore, USN, Deputy Director Fleet Readiness; RDML James P. McManamon, USN, Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare, SEA 21, Naval Sea Systems Command; Mr. Howard Fireman, Director, Surface Ship Design and Systems Engineering, Naval Sea Systems Command; Mr. Fred Harris, NASSCO; Mr. Dan Schultz, Lockheed Martin Company; Mr. Ben Robison, NGSB; VADM Timothy W. Lafleur, USN (Ret.); The Honorable Sean Stackley, ASN (RDA); RDML Michael McMahon, USN, PEO for Aircraft Carriers; RADM William H. Hilarides, USN, PEO for Submarines and Mr Geiger, Bath Iron Works. There will also be a CLASSRON panel discussion.
Related maintenance meetings being held in conjunction with FMMS 2009 include the Regional Maintenance Commanders’ Conference, Joint Industry-Navy Improvement Initiative (JINII), the USCG Naval Engineers Program Guidance Team Meeting, and the Port Engineers Conference (Sea Service Maintenance & Modernization Conference). The symposium provides a unique opportunity to interact with senior military decision makers, ship and craft operators and maintainers, repair and maintenance personnel, modernization experts, designers and builders, equipment suppliers, and other technical experts.
For additional information on this symposium, click http://www.navalengineers.org/Events/FMMS09/FMMS09Home.html
2009 GOLF TOURNAMENT
When: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Bayville Golf Club, 4137 First Colony Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23455, www.bayvillegolfclub.com
Applications Available and Sign Up Begins June 15th !
Join us at the beautiful and challenging Bayville Golf Club in Virginia each, a short distance just off Shore Drive at the site of a spacious 268-acre former dairy farm, open to capricious winds and salt air of the nearby Chesapeake Bay.
Tournament proceeds benefit the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation, an IRS 501(c)(3) Education Foundation, and donations are tax deductible.
Tournament Schedule
10:00-12:30 Registration and Practice Range
11:00 a.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start
“After Golf” Social – Prizes and Awards Presentation
Beverage carts, photos, snacks, goody bags, raffles
Sponsorship Packages Available
The specifics of the sponsorship packages will be available on the APPLICATION FORM when it is posted on Monday, June 15th.
Platinum (2 teams included) $5,000
Gold (1 team included) $2,500
Silver (2 players included) $1,500
Beverage Cart $750
Hole Sponsor $500
Longest Drive $400
Closest to Pin $400
Registration begins Monday, June 15th. All reservations are FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED, so don't wait to apply. We had a waiting list last year.
For specific questions, please contact:
NAUTICAL TERMS OF THE MONTH: Blind Eye
http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/terms0101.htm
In 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen, Admiral Nelson deliberately held his telescope to his blind eye, in order not to see the flag signal from the commander to stop the bombardment. He won. Turning a blind eye means to ignore intentionally.
3RD QUARTER SAFETY SUGGESTION AWARD
Mark Sword, an employee of Tecnico, was recognized with the 3rd Quarter Safety Suggestion Award. Mark created a device that can control the release of toxic gases and contaminated liquid while breaking into CHT piping. His device would wrap around the pipe and consists of a cut off handle, ball valve, and rubber gasket. The cut off handle with the ball valve is then opened, and a hole is drilled through the valve. Once the hole is drilled, a marine chemist can test the pipe by inserting the probe of his meter through the valve to ensure there are no toxic gases. If toxic gases or liquids are found in the pipe, the cut off valve can be quickly closed.
Mark will be recognized and presented with a $250.00 check at the July 21st General Membership Meeting.
COMMITTEE UPDATE
Communications Committee
The committee met viae-mail to review the draft 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 235455.
Contracts Committee
At the June meeting, Ron Ritter and Joe Yurso briefed the committee on the JINII planning meeting. Representatives from the ship repair organizations are meeting with the Navy to identify items to resolve together at the JINII being held October 1 in conjunction with ASNE’s Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium 2009 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA. 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
At the July meeting, Chris Abel reported the May Seminar went extremely well, and the committee will hold another seminar next year. He presented information about testing and evaluation at the recruiting and hiring stage. Josephine Anderson reported the VSRA job board is operational and invited members companies to use it. 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
At the June meeting, Ken Edwards updated the committee on the PCP working group. Effective July 5, the QA Code for MARMC and NNSY will be 212.5 vice 221. The SSRAC Conference is being held July 21-24, 2009 in Jacksonville, FL. The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 11, 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
At the June meeting, the Standard Items subcommittee met and finalized four recommendations. The planning for the Safety Seminar is proceeding well. OSHA has printed a new Shipyard Industry Standards booklet, and it has a brown cover, replacing the books with the blue cover. 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
At the May meeting, the committee discussed the Naval Pass and ID Office procedure and what to do if something goes wrong. Everyone requesting a Common Access Card (CAC) must be listed in Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). In order to be issued a badge, a person must bring a copy of their I-9 and original supporting documentation. 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.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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: Sept 17, Oct 21, Nov 5, and Dec 3 2009, 7:30 am – 11:30 am
LOCATION: Tecnico Corp., Chesapeake, VA
First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder Certification
COST: $115.00 VSRA members; $150.00 Non VSRA members
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
DATE: August 6-7, 2009, 7:30am - 3:30pm
LOCATION: Tecnico Corporation, Chesapeake, VA
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.
NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Prep Course
COST: $225.00 VSRA members; $275.00 Non VSRA members
DATE: September 29-October 1, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days
LOCATION: ODU/ VATPDC Bldg 4111 Norfolk
DATE: December 1-3, 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: 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: September 28-October 2 8:00am – 4:00pm
LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd Portsmouth
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: September 15-18, 2009 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd Portsmouth
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.