Newsletter: June/July 2011 Newsletter

Our guest speaker for the June General Membership Luncheon will be Joe Bouchard, PhD, Former Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk. Dr. Bouchard will speak on the sea level rise and its threat to Hampton Roads.

 

Joseph F. Bouchard, PhD, serves as Chair of the Hampton Roads Partnership Innovation Task Force, which promotes technology-based economic development. Dr. Bouchard is Director of Government Sales at Cox Communications. He serves on the Commonwealth Security Panel, which advises the governor on homeland security and emergency preparedness. He also serves on the Boards of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, Virginia Maritime Association and Green Jobs Alliance, and on the Advisory Committee for the Maritime Institute at Old Dominion University.

 

In 2008, Dr. Bouchard served on the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change and chaired its Adaptation Working Group. While representing Virginia Beach in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2008-2009, he served on the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, which is responsible for environmental policy. He also served on the Virginia Beach Alternative Energy Task Force in 2009-2010.

Dr. Bouchard graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, earned a Master of Arts degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Doctor of Philosophy from Stanford University. He retired from the Navy in 2003 as a Captain after 27 years active duty service. He commanded a Navy destroyer and Naval Station Norfolk, which won multiple environmental awards under his command.

Our invited guest speaker for the July meeting is RADM David M. Thomas, Jr, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic. Rear Admiral Thomas, a native of Norfolk, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 and is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Assignments at sea included USS Shreveport (LPD 12) as main propulsion assistant and navigator; engineer officer in USS Estocin (FFG 15) and USS Willamette (AO 180); flag lieutenant to commander, 2nd Fleet; executive officer in USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55); command of USS Ross (DDG 71); and command of Destroyer Squadron 26.

Ashore, RADM Thomas served in the Surface Warfare Junior Officer Assignment Branch of the Bureau of Naval Personnel; in the Personnel Plans and Policy Division of the Joint Staff; as flag secretary to commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; on the staff of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as executive officer to the director of the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review and executive assistant to the director of Operations, Plans, and Policy (N3/N5); and as chief of staff to commander, 2nd Fleet.

Upon selection for flag officer, RADM Thomas served as the deputy chief of staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations on the staff of commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and commander, Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; commander, Carrier Strike Group Two; and his current assignment as commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal as well as various other personal and unit decorations.

 

We will NOT have a General Membership meeting in August. The 25th Annual VSRF Golf Tournament on August 16^th will replace the General Membership Meeting. Details on the golf tournament can be found further down in this newsletter and are on the VSRA website, www.virginishiprepair.org.

Our guest speaker for the May General Membership Meeting was Rear Admiral James A. Murdoch, Director of Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Fleet Forces. Rear Admiral Murdoch has been the director of Fleet Maintenance for U.S. Fleet Forces Command since August 2010. RDML Murdoch said the ship repair industry is a key industry and needs good people. He thanked the members of VSRA for the good work they do keeping the ships of the U.S. Navy ready for tasking.

 

RDML Murdoch has three commitments: improved disciplined execution of maintenance requirements, wholeness in the introduction of new ships to the Fleet, and support of the professional growth of the maintenance community. 

 

The challenge facing the Navy and our industry is getting the ships in the Fleet to their expected service life. The Navy has initiated the Surface Ship Readiness Initiative (SSRI) to accomplish this. The current gaps are in five areas, also known as the SSRI “5 Big Rocks”. These areas are Assessment Plan/Policy, Sustainment Program, SURFMEPP, RMS Capacity/Capability, and Availability Execution/Work Certification. The assessments are being addressed in the Total Ship Readiness Assessment, also known as TSRA. The sustainment program will address life cycle planning. SURFMEPP, Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program, translates class maintenance requirements into availability work packages, helps the Fleet define and budget maintenance requirements, and insures the requirements are defensible. The staffs of the Regional Maintenance Centers are being increased, and the Navy is restoring and enlarging the depot maintenance activities in Norfolk and San Diego. Finally, the Navy is developing an availability/work certification process for surface ships. 

 

At the end of his speech, RDML Murdoch announced that in June, he will be the Navy’s first PEO Ships for the Littoral Combat Ships. His job will include integrating the two building and maintenance programs and the mission packages. His replacement is RDML (sel) Larry Creevy.

At the May meeting, the Board of Directors approved 4 new member companies. This brings our total membership to 201 member companies. The new companies are Electric Motor Shop; Maritech Group, Inc.; Tate Engineering Systems, Inc.; and Ita International.

Electric Motor Shop (EMS) is one of the largest, best equipped, and most technically advanced companies of its kind in the southeast United States. Founded by the late Thomas Wright in 1952, EMS is strategically located in Wake Forest and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. From industrial manufacturers and processors to utilities and municipalities, they offer an unparalleled resource for time critical, OEM quality electric motor, electromechanical and power transmission repair, rebuilding and retrofit services. Electric Motor Shop is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and a member of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) and serves a large geographic region,. Electric Motor Shop is a virtual "One Stop Resource" from your power pole to your manufacturing floor.

 

For additional information, please visit their website at www.electricmotorshopnc.com.

 

Maritech Group, Inc. (MGI) is a small woman/minority-owned business located within the Tidewater region of Virginia. They provide industrial cleaning and
repair services to government, commercial, and ship repair facilities.  They provide quality hands-on marine environmental services and products to
government and industry, both domestically and internationally. MGI is fully licensed and insured and is in compliance with all OSHA and EPA laws and regulations. In addition, MGI has a quality system that is applicable to both government and commercial ships. They are familiar in working with various shipboard systems, tanks, bilges, holding tank systems that are found throughout a navy or commercial ships. 

 

For additional information, please visit their website at http://maritechgroupinc.com.

Tate Engineering Systems, Inc. is a full-service solution provider for mechanical equipment and systems in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. since 1924. They offer energy savings and green solutions for building systems. Their products include boilers, economizers, heat exchangers; RO systems and water softeners; HVAC systems; process filters and equipment; dust collection equipment; fume scrubbers; compressed air, gas and vacuum equipment and piping; pump systems, baskets and strainers; instrumentation and controls and genuine replacement parts and service.

 

For additional information, please visit their website at www.tate.com.

ITA International, L.L.C. (ITA) is a global support services company with a focus on the maritime and coastal environments. They provide the U.S. Government; federal, state, and local agencies; and the private sector with operational analysis and planning, training, security, marine, logistics, and construction support and services worldwide. Using their Arena Process, they analyze the mission, identify all requirements, and develop innovative, integrated solutions to meet current and emergent needs and advance their clients’ missions and objectives. To do so, ITA retains recognized subject matter experts, who possess the technical, tactical, strategic, and programmatic acumen to provide their clients with high-quality support and services, which fall into three functional arenas: organizational planning and analysis, maritime operations, and partnership building.

 

For additional information, please visit their website at www.ita-intl.com.

The winner of the 2011 Senior Tradesmen of the Year awards, sponsored by Integrity Staffing Services, was announced at the May General Membership meeting. This year’s award went to Mr. Ellis Lassiter of AMSEC. Mr. Lassiter has not only received numerous citations for leadership, safety and work quality, he also has created innovations that have become standard practice throughout the industry in conducting machinist work in ship spaces. He received $500.00, a two-night stay at a Marriott Resort Hotel, four tickets to Nauticus, Award, personalized embroidered wind jacket and other items.

 

VSRF also recognized the following nominees for Senior Tradesman of the Year:  

 

Earl Banks, Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc.

Randy Dille, Marine Hyrdraulics International, Inc.

Craig Mallory, Tecnico Corporation

Richard G. Morningstar, Delphinus Engineering, Inc.

Ron Ridgeway, Earl Industries

Herbert Shorter, Epsilon Systems Solutions

Michael J. Strzalko, Phoenix International Holdings, Inc.

Mary E. Sweat, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair

Christopher Taddeo, Advanced Integrated Technologies

Michael L. Yakich, Prism Maritime, LLC

 

All of the nominees received a certificate recognizing their significant contribution to their trade. Mr. Lassiter was also recognized at the National Maritime Day celebration on May 20th at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk.  

 

The winner of the 2011 Junior Tradesmen of the Year awards, sponsored by Integrity Staffing Services, was announced at the May General Membership meeting. The Junior award went to Aaron Wayne Post of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. Mr. Post has received numerous awards and citations for exceptional performance, as well as safety. He has been advanced to off-location project lead assignments as a result of the advancements he has made in understanding both the practical and technical aspects of his trade. He also received $500.00, a two-night stay at a Marriott Resort Hotel, four tickets to Nauticus, a personalized embroidered wind jackets and other items.

 

VSRF also recognized the following nominees for Junior Tradesmen of the Year: 

 

David Scott Brisbois, Prism Maritime, LLC

Jeremy Faircloth, Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc.

Bennie L. Garner, Delphinus Engineering, Inc.

Timothy Hamlin, Tecnico Corporation

Maurice Moseley, Earl Industries

Robert T. Thomas, Marine Hydraulics International, Inc.

Jimmy R. Turner, Jr., AMSEC, LLC

 

All of the nominees received a certificate recognizing their significant contribution to their trade. Mr. Post was also recognized at the National Maritime Day celebration on May 20th at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk.  

The purpose of VSRA members attending Career Days is to promote Ship Repair as a valuable asset in the community and to send students a message that invites them to consider a job in the ship repair industry. 

 

We want to thank all of our volunteers who participated in the 2011 Career Days held at schools around Hampton Roads. This experience has provided a wonderful opportunity for VSRA members to share their work knowledge and experience with the youth in our area. 

 

Our volunteer teams reached 4,874 students in 22 schools. This is a valuable program that saves our member companies a great deal of time and money by consolidating our efforts. We also had the opportunity to participate in six of our area Elementary School Career Days reaching 3,204 students and providing materials and branding items to promote the ship repair industry. The kids really enjoy the Ship Repair Sam books, and schools call us to get more!

 

If you have a school you would like us to add to our list, please contact, Sylvia Bell at sbell@VirginiaShipRepair.org.

 

 

 

 

Join us at the beautiful and challenging Bayville Golf Club in Virginia Beach, 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 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

 

The specifics of the sponsorship packages will be available on the APPLICATION FORM when it is posted on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

 

 

Registration will open in June 16th.  All reservations will be FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED.  Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors, which includes golfers, will be given priority registration. We had a waiting list last year, so don't wait to apply.

 

For specific questions, please contact: Leigh Kennedy at 757-215-2550 or lkennedy@earl-ind.com.

Mark your calendars now for the next VSRA Safety Seminar.

 

When:              September 28, 2011

Where:             Ted Constant Convocation Center

Old Dominion University

Theme:            Safety – Everyone is Responsible

 

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

6/21/11 - Women-Owned Small Business Conference (WOSB), Meyera A. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1767. Registration: 0830 to 0900. Program: 0900 to 1600.
No Charge to Attend, but Advanced Registration Required. 
Topics to be presented include: WOSB Program Overview, PTAC Services, Safety, Teaming and Joint Ventures, and Source Selection & Successful Proposal Tips.
An Exhibit Hall will also be available to allow small business firms to meet with various Government agencies and several large business prime contractors.

 

To register, go to www.tasc-tgic.org. Select the "Navy/ NCMA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Conference, 21 June” item from the drop down menu and provide the requested information.

The committee met May 9 to put together the May/June newsletter. The committee meets the second Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. at QED Systems, Inc. at 4646 N. Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

 

The committee met in May and was updated by Capt. Michael Malone on Standard Item 009-72 rewrite and the status of ship availability funding. Joe Yurso Briefed the committee on the JINII Top Ten list and the status of the local travel item. Mal Branch briefed the committee on a program to develop national standards for shipyard trades. Training classes were also discussed. 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.

 

The committee met in May and discussed EPA’s proposed Numeric Limits on Ballast Water discharges to combat harming native species. Walt Pristou explained the requirement for personnel working at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to received environmental training. 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 met in May. Brian Applewhite discussed new changes to SubPart F and Standard Item 009-72. Tom Binner discussed a recent mishap involving series face/eye injuries resulting from a sandblast incident. The committee expressed concern that no safety suggestions were submitted. Colleen Becker discussed the planning for the next Safety Seminar. 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 May meeting, Special Agent Robert Simmons was the guest speaker and addressed energy drinks. Many of these drinks contain alcohol, along with caffeine and sugar. NCMS Hampton Roads and the Carolina Chapters are holding brown bag webinars in the months of May, June, August, and October. 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:

 

COST: $100.00 VSRA members, $135.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: July 22, September 15, October 27, December 29, 2011, 7:30 am – 11:30 am

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

This course includes blood borne pathogen training.

 

 

COST: $120.00 VSRA members, $150.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: July 21, September 14, October 26, December 28, 2011, 7:30am - 4:30pm

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

This course includes blood borne pathogen training.

 

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: $375.00 VSRA members, $495.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: October 20-21, 2011, 7:30am - 3:30pm

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

 

The training centers on leadership demands, behavioral management, tracking professional goals and developing stronger workers through career development and goal setting. Today, the job of a supervisor is complicated by the changing work environments, and a new breed of employees coming in the door. Supervisors will learn about the labor market, their own leadership and management strengths and how to effect change on the waterfront. The course delivers 16 plus hours of lecture, video, hands-on activities, The Kouzes & Posner Leadership Challenge System and text based assignments.

 

 

COST: $375.00 VSRA members, $495.00 Non VSRA members

DATES:  September 22-23 and December 1-2, 2011, 8:00am - 4:00pm

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

 

Safety is best managed by self-directed teams that take full ownership over safe practices. This course uses the 16 hr. National Supervisors Safety Leadership Curriculum to review core safety regulations in conjunction with proven safety leadership techniques.

 

 

COST: $320.00 VSRA members, $425.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: October 12-14, November 30-December 2, 2011, 8:00am-4:30pm 

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.

 

 

This course is approved by NAVSEA.

COST: $750.00 VSRA members, $900.00 Non VSRA members

DATES:  October 24-28, December 12-16, 2011, 7:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION: NSSA Training Department, Naval Station Norfolk, 9727 Avionics Loop,  Building LF-18, Norfolk, VA 23511

 

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. VSRA strongly recommends taking the NBPI Prep Course prior to attending.

 

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: $975.00 VSRA Members, $1,100.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: November 14-18, 2011, 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: AmSec, LLC, 2829 Guardian Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

 

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.

 

 

COST: $400.00 VSRA Members, $475.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: September 20-23, 2011, 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.