Newsletter: March/April 2010 Newsletter

Our March speaker will be Capt. Tim Corrigan, USN, Director, Surface Ship Life Cycle Management Activity. Aligned under the Naval Sea Systems Command Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare (NAVSEA 21), the activity’s mission is to support the level of material readiness that surface ships must achieve to meet their expected service life. Influencing and integrating the necessary maintenance, repairs, and modernization of the surface Fleet before availability allows for better planning and increased cost efficiency; thus providing long-term value for surface ship life cycle sustainment efforts.

 

SSLCM Activity efforts have helped better define technical requirements to support life cycle readiness, and will continue to be critical in helping to achieve the Chief of Naval Operation’s goal of a 313-ship Navy. The Technical Foundation Paper (TFP) and ship sheets for Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers have been released. The SSLCM Activity is also developing TFPs for other ship classes, including the Ticonderoga (CG 47) class and Wasp (LHD 1) class by the end of 2010.

 

Capt. Corrigan, an engineering duty officer, was previously the chief of staff for Commander, Regional Maintenance Centers.

By: Robert D. Cass, Mid Atlantic Consulting, PLLC

 

I feel privileged to live in Virginia, and today, I have one more reason to be enamored by this great commonwealth. I have just come across the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition, otherwise known as VOW, and I feel like I have seen the future of energy as well as the future of the ship repair industry.

First things first, off-shore wind energy is a powerful thing on many levels. It is good, clean renewable energy and the world is ready for it. If Europe is any indication, then we are in for a big change in the way we power our energy needs because they have been using wind energy for over a decade. This is not a new, radical thought or science fiction; it is happening right now. The fact that Europe has been using wind energy for over a decade works to our advantage because we won’t have to make the same expensive mistakes that they have made during the first round of implementing wind farms.

Why should we be so excited about this? Well, from an economic standpoint, we are standing on the edge of a wave that is going to be a boom to our ship repair industry and mark a change for decades, if not centuries to come. Our collective repair and fabrication facilities are perfectly poised to handle the very specific needs of this new energy source.

 

If that wasn’t enough good news, then the fact that Virginia has a natural geographic placement that allows us to access the majority of the energy producing winds on the east coast, should begin to get you just a little excited. And we haven’t even begun to talk about the infrastructure that has already been installed in our area to handle the unique energy demands of our region.

 

All of this creates the perfect economic boom at a time when we all could use some good news. At the head of this good news is the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition. They have the vision and are pulling together the resources that we will need to make it happen. Let's face it; Virginia has the natural resources in the port of Virginia as well as one of the most vibrant ship repair industries in the world. From a supply chain perspective we have been blessed with manpower, natural settings and a proximity to the majority of the energy producing wind on the eastern seaboard. Put it all together and you have one tremendous opportunity!

I would venture to guess that there are very few emerging trends that are going to have as big an impact on our industry over the next 25 years as the offshore wind opportunity. We should all be excited, but even more importantly; we should keep our fingers on the pulse of the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition.

The Board of Directors approved the following new members:

            Fulton Bank, N.A.

            Advanced Benefit Strategies of Virginia, LLC

This brings VSRA’s total membership to 188 companies.

Fulton Bank was established in 1882 in Pennsylvania. They provide consumer retail and business customers with the best in banking services and products, investment management and trust services. They are a full-service commercial bank with locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Their community-oriented style of banking and commitment to their customers enables them to provide the flexibility and timely response customers need, helping them sustain mutually satisfying, long-term baking relationships. As the largest affiliate of Fulton Financial Corporation, they offer the broad array of financial services of a larger bank, which maintaining the personalized community-oriented banking relationships that customers want.

Advanced Benefit Strategies is an employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm that specializes in using innovative strategies to contain clients’ medical benefit cost expenditures. They have forty years of combined experience in healthcare plan design and administration.

The Communications Committee distributed its annual survey via e-mail. Please take the time to respond to the survey so we can better provide the services that are valuable to you. The results of the survey will be published in a future newsletter, and all of the information will be briefed to the VSRA Board of Directors. Feel free to forward the survey to other employees in your company who interact with VSRA. Thank you in advance for your participation!

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.

 

Granby High School-- Friday, March 19, 2010-from 8:00am-12:30pm in the Media Center. 7101 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505. All Juniors and Seniors as well as career and technical education students will participate. POC--Jennifer Lanz-email: jlanz@nps.k12.va.us phone: 451-4110.

 

Chesapeake Public Schools Career Day--March 25, 2010-from 8:00am-12:00pm. It will be held at the Chesapeake Conference Center.  Graduating Seniors who have completed career and tech ed programs will be in attendance. POC--Patricia Tompkins-757.547.0153x256, email:tompkt@cps.k12.va.us

Shipbuilding and Repair Career Day Events2010--Tuesday, March 30, 2010-from 8:00am to 3:00pm at the Ted Constant Convocation Center (ODU.) POC--Rupesh Narkar-email: rnark001@odu.edu phone: 668-4476 and Ms. Clair Dorsey-email: cdorsey@odu.edu phone: 683-5508.

 

First Colonial High School -- Tuesday, March 30, 2010-from 9am to 12pm in the Media Center, 1272 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. POC – Andrew Miller, phone 757-648-5312, Andrew.miller@vbschools.com

 

The Pines School--Tuesday, April 6, 2010-from 9:30am to 12:00pm. 1801 Portsmouth Blvd. Portsmouth, VA 23704. POC--Shell Spivey-email: shellspivey@yahoo.com phone: 242-6513. 

 

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 13 last year. This year, we opened the competition to Peninsula schools, so we anticipate a larger number will join in the competition. 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. 

 

Competition is scheduled for the last week of April. 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.

 

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

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the VSRA office at (757) 233-7034.

 

This year’s National Ship Repair Industry Conference (NSRIC) was held in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC from March 1-4, 2010. The Conference was expertly and effectively led by RDML Joe Carnevale from the Shipbuilders Council of America and jointly sponsored by the nation’s five Ship Repair Associations, representing ship repair firms in San Diego, Virginia, Jacksonville, Puget Sound and Hawaii.

 

During the conference, members of Congress, Navy, and Coast Guard executives gave presentations addressing the impact of specific issues to the approximate 90 attendees. The Conference not only provided a wealth of information from the presenters but also provided a valuable opportunity for the attendees to network with other ship repair company executives.

 

Following a well-attended reception on March 1st hosted by the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association, the conference got underway on Tuesday, March 2ndat the Embassy Suites in Crystal City. This first day was “Navy” day and included interesting and informative presentations by ADM Gary Roughead (Chief of Naval Operations), VADM McCoy (Commander NAVSEA), RDML McManamon (SEA 21), RADM Campbell (NAVSEA 04), RADM Orzalli (Director of Fleet Maintenance), RADM Buxby (Commander MSC), RDML Moore (OPNAV N43B), Mr. Orner (U.S. Coast Guard), RADM (Ret.) Bone (ABS) and a panel discussion including Ms. Margaret Harrell (NAVSEA 04Y). The speakers provided a detailed understanding to the attendees of the current state of Navy, Coast Guard and MSC shipbuilding and maintenance plans and funding.

 

On Wednesday, March 3^rd the conference moved to Capitol Hill for a full day of meetings with and presentations by members of Congress. Participating members of Congress included Congressman Taylor from Mississippi, Congressman Hunter from California, Congressmen Forbes and Nye from Virginia, Congressman Crenshaw from Florida and Congressman McKeon from California. It was apparent from the discussions that SCA and the ship repair associations have done excellent work in informing Congress of the significant shortfall in ship maintenance funding since all of the Representatives commented favorably on the need to increase this funding in order to properly maintain the ships currently in service and sustain growth toward a 313 ship Navy Fleet. 

 

Following the presentations on Capitol Hill, the Conference concluded with a well-attended reception hosted by the Virginia Ship Repair Association at the offices of Honeywell majestically overlooking the nations’ Capitol. By any measure, the Conference was a success, due in large part to the efforts of RDML Carnevale and SCA and was well worth the time spent. 

 

This year an additional session was conducted on Thursday morning. Representatives from the five ship repair associations and SCA met to share regional and national efforts each was engaged in to develop our future ship repair industry workforce and increase the knowledge of our incumbent workers. This led to a healthy discussion on how the six organizations can collaborate in the future. There was consensus that there was great synergy created by working together. Consensus centered on pursuing national certification for ship repair industry jobs. By any measure, the Conference was a success, due in large part to the efforts of RDML Carnevale and SCA and was well worth the time spent. 

By Hunter Frischkorn

 

With the recent devastation in Chile, insurance will play a major role in the country's recovery.   However, Chilean businesses and families will not be the only ones affected by this natural disaster.  There will be an economic hardship as well on US businesses which rely on the imports to and exports of Chile.  

 

While there probably won't be an impact to any one VSRA member company because of the earthquakes in Chile, it may be a good time for all members to take mental stock of their customers and suppliers.  

 

Standard business interruption insurance only protects your organization financially when you sustain direct damage.  Fortunately, there is something called contingent business interruption insurance.  It is meant to step-in and pay for your financial loss that is the result of direct physical damage to one of your suppliers or customers. The time to plan for a disaster is before it happens.

3/11/10 - U. S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) Industry Outreach Event
USJFCOM's Business Management Office will hold briefings on market research, industry engagement, and the command's contracts and agreements at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Please see the following link to register:
http://www.jfcom.mil/newslink/storyarchive/2010/pa012710.html

 

3/16/10 - TGIC Exchange Briefing, “Government Insourcing: Policy, Government, Industry, and Human Resources Perspectives”. The panel will be moderated by Mr. Jeff Bruner, Government Co-Moderator, TGIC. Virginia Beach Central Library Auditorium, 0900-1130. This is a free event. 

 

3/17/10 - The Tidewater Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers will host Ms. Peggy Harrell, Commander, Regional Maintenance Centers, at the Springhill Suites Hotel on Newtown Road. 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner and Program. Make your reservations using the on-line form at www.asne-tw.org.

 

 

4/21/09 – 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.

 

4/28/10 - 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.

 

At the February General Membership Meeting held February 17, 2010, Malcolm Branch of VSRA and Leo Edwards of OSHA signed the agreement renewing the VSRA-OSHA Partnership. All member companies in the partnership were recognized. The current members of the partnership are

International Flooring & Protective Coatings

Main Industries Inc

Marine Chemist Service Inc.

Marine Hydraulics Inc (MHI)

Marine Specialty Painting

Metro Machine Corp.

QED Systems Inc.

Tecnico

 

VSRA is leading the way in the ship repair industry with this historic partnership. The injury rate for partnership companies is 23% less than the industry injury rate. Membership in the partnership is free, and we encourage all members companies to join the partnership to ensure its continued and future success.

BAE Systems Ship Repair’s Director of Safety Assurance, Phil Smith was named Signal Mutual's 2009 Safety Professional of the Year. The annual award honors safety professionals who are instrumental in the development and implementation of outstanding safety practices within their respective industries. Smith was also recognized for helping to improve safety culture by sharing best practices and new safety initiatives with other Signal Mutual member companies.

 

Smith and the BAE Systems Ship Repair team were recently recognized at a Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Board of Directors and Members meeting held January 29th in Olympic Valley, California. With a member base of 209 companies at the start of 2010, the Signal Mutual Safety Professional of the Year is a distinguished accomplishment. 

 

 

BAE Systems Ship Repair recently adopted the OHSAS 18001-2007 Safety Management System to ensure safety and health excellence. In 2009, all four of BAE Systems Ship Repair sites were certified and registered by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance, the international safety management system whose certifications markedly exceed standard regulatory requirements. As a result of these “safety first” focused efforts, BAE Systems Ship Repair enjoyed marked improvements in lost work and recordable injuries for 2009 with totals well below Ship Repair industry averages.  

At the March meeting, the committee met to review the March/April 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 February meeting, the committee was briefed on the National Ship Repair Conference, ASNE Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium, status of MSMO awards, ongoing local issue of local travel for IDIQ contracts, proposed government penalty for contractors with deficiencies in their surveillance systems, the Navy’s graduated QA program, and MARAD’s shipyard project funding. 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.

 

At the February meeting, there were two guest speakers from the Virginia Employment Commission. Roger Bushell shared information on how unemployment rates are determined, tips for proper submission of separation statements, and the minimum and maximum amounts claimants may be awarded. Richard Keatley gave a presentation on how separation of employment affects employee benefits. 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 February meeting, the committee was told that all requested changes have been made to the VSRA audit database. Crofton Diving is drafting a PCP to be considered for the standard PCP for 009-77. The committee discussed issues related to standard items 009-87 and 009-32, and oversight of P-2 weld joints. 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 February meeting, the committee discussed the planning for the Safety Seminar. The guest speaker was Mr. Walt Pristou of NSSA, who discussed the changes from MARMC and NAVSEA Standard Item 009-74.. 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 February meeting, Michelle Carrera was the guest speaker and provided an overview of VSRA Safety Orientation for Hampton Roads Shipyards. 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:  March 31, 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: March 30, 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: March 18-19, 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: March 30-April 4, 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: April 12-16, 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: March 15-19, 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: March 23-26, 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.