Newsletter: May 2012

Our May speaker will be Karen Scherberger, Executive Director of Festevents, who will update us on OpSail 2012. 

From June 1 -12, 2012, the Port of Virginia will once again host an impressive fleet of tall ships, navy and military war ships representing the world.  OpSail 2012 Virginia is planned to illuminate the community with spectacle and festivity, and will place our Commonwealth front and center on the world stage.

The goals of OpSail and the War of 1812 commemoration events are planned to promote goodwill among nations, inspire patriotism and foster interest in American maritime history and heritage, while creating unique educational opportunities for young and old alike and bringing economic and social benefit to our communities.

After graduating from Old Dominion University, Karen Scherberger earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia. After finishing her graduate studies in Athens in 1979, she returned to Norfolk where she worked in the admissions office of ODU.

She became the first Director of Festevents in 1982.  Since 1982, they've been attracting more than two million people per year to theVirginiawaterfront, creating outstanding sponsorship opportunities for our regional and national marketing partners.Norfolkis in the heart of Hampton Roads, the nation's 27th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). From this central location, Festevents organizes events from March through December, each of which draw anywhere from 1,000 to hundreds of thousands of visitors. Through a unique mix of festivals, special events, concerts, movies, tall ship visits and much more, Festevents has become one of the nation's premier events marketing organizations.

One of the main reasons for Norfolk Festevents' success is that it capitalizes onNorfolk's natural appeal as an inviting waterfront city. The seven-acre Town Point Park, with its outdoor concert amphitheater on theElizabethRiver, provides an ideal locale for the festivities and musical events. Other sites for large and small events includeOceanViewBeachParkon the Chesapeake Bay, the marina-front Waterside Outdoor Amphitheater, Nauticus, The National Maritime Center,MacArthurCenter, the area's premier new shopping mall, andHarborPark,Norfolk's beautiful and critically acclaimed new baseball stadium.

In addition to attracting visitors to downtownNorfolk, Festevents has made contributions in excess of $2 million dollars since 1983 to area charities. Big Brothers Big Sisters of SouthHamptonRoads, The Dwelling Place, Down Syndrome Association ofHamptonRoads, REACH, Inc., National Hemophilia Foundations (Virginia Chapter) and Animal Rescue of Tidewater are only few of the charitable organizations and great causes throughout Hampton Roads that benefited from Festevents' proceeds over the years.

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. is a private, not-for-profit 501-(c)(3) organization.

Our speaker for the April General Membership Meeting was Arthur Moye, Jr., Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Virginia Maritime Association.  The Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) was organized in 1920 to promote, protect and encourage international and domestic commerce through the Port of Virginia.   It has over 400 member companies who employ over 70,000 Virginians.

The Port of Virginia produces 343,000 port and port-related jobs statewide.  This translates into $41 billion in business revenue and $1.2 in state and local taxes.  The port is the seventh largest containerized cargo port in the nation and the third largest on the east coast.  With the completion of the Panama Canal expansion on 2014, larger ships will be able to transit.  With the 50-foot channel depth in our port to support these larger ships, they expect containerized cargo shipments to our port to increase.

VMA’s top priorities are:

• Maintain the Norfolk Harbor Channel and Craney Island.
• Construct the Craney Island Eastern Expansion.
• Deepen the Southern Branch to the 45-foot and 40-foot authorized project level.
• Improve the South Atlantic Ocean Channel.
• Construct the 55-foot Norfolk Harbor Project.

VMA is also promoting offshore wind generation because it offers maritime jobs supporting their construction and maintenance.  If you would like more information on VMA, please see their website at www.vamaritime.com.

At the April meeting, the Board of Directors approved two new member companies.  The new companies are Norfolk Coating Services, LLC and Skydex Technologies.  This brings our membership total to 232 companies.

Norfolk Coating Services, LLC is a full service blasting and painting contractor.

Skydex Technologies manufactures patented geometrically designed materials that mitigate shock, vibration, or energy forces for the most demanding military and commercial uses.  Their products include blast mitigating flooring in combat vehicles, padding for military helmets, and shock absorbing decking on high speed interceptor boats. SKYDEX engineers and designs all their products around their six core technologies:  blast limiting, impact mitigation, vibration absorption, ballistic reduction, sound dampening and cushioning.

05/15/2012 through 05/17/2012 Joint Warfighting Conference and Exposition 2012 held at the Virginia Beach Conference Center.  For more information and to register to attend, please go to www.usni.org.  Panel sessions and exhibits are free.

05/16/12 - TASC Lunch Meeting held at the Virginia Beach Conference Center in Conjunction with the Joint Warfighting Conference.  Guest Speaker General John R. Allen, USMC (invited), Commander, International Security Resistance Force – Afghanistan and Commander, U.S. Forces, Afghanistan. To register for this event, go to www.tasc-tgic.org.

05/16/12 - ASNE Tidewater Section Social held at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, 1800-1900 Social Hour, 1900-2030 Dinner and Program. 

Please make your reservations for the dinner meeting no later than noon
the day before it's scheduled at www.asne-tw.org.

06/26/2012 through 06/27/2012 High Performance Craft Expo 2012 at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center and Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, VA.  This special event will focus on suppliers, operators, maintainers and equipment vendors in the high performance boat and craft community.  HiPer Craft 2012 will feature exhibits, static & in-water displays, vendor presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities in addition to technical discussions and an opportunity for attendees to learn about and comment on plans for MACC 2013.

For more information and to register for this event, please to go www.navalengineers.org.

09/18/12 through 09/19/12 – Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium 2012, at the Virginia Beach Conference Center.  To register for this event, go to www.navalengineers.org/fmms2012.

Forty-nine years ago, on April 10, 1963, while engaged in a deep test dive, the USS THRESHER (SSN 593) was lost as sea with 129 officers and men on board.  Based on the findings of a Court of Inquiry, and the joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy hearings into the loss, it was concluded that a flooding casualty in the engine room, resulting from a piping failure in one of the sea water systems, was the most probable cause of the loss.

From this tragic event, the Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) Program was established to assure implementation of the recommendations resulting from the findings of the THRESHER Court of Inquiry and THRESHER Design Appraisal Board.  Today, the technical and administrative requirements of the SUBSAFE Program continue to evolve, and the most current are contained in the Submarine Safety Requirements Manual, NAVSEA 0924-062-0100.

Captain Joseph Yurso, P.E., USN (Ret.) was the keynote speaker.  His talk focused on his experience at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard when THRESHER was in Post Shakedown Availability following a most successful shakedown time including shock trials. He spoke to the culture of the times. The Navy was focused on protecting things and people, never really considering the possibility of losing an entire submarine. He relayed some of the real challenges that took place as Shipyard Watch Officer on the date of the tragedy, April 10, 1963. 

Understandably, this was a most difficult time for everyone and was perhaps the most significant emotional event of his life. The major thrust of his talk was to share some of his key experiences following the loss of THRESHER. These included helping with the development of the SUBSAFE Program and sharing his experiences leading several investigating teams that involved submarine and ship construction. The message was to emphasize we must never become complacent.  The process from the development of a concept to completion:  engineering, material procurement, logistics and work instructions not only must be right, but there must be strong and capable oversight by knowledgeable and skilled people every step of the process. The work paper must be developed in a format that is easy to understand so the worker can complete the work correctly. The worker and supervision must be properly trained, have the proper skills and tools to complete the work properly.

The supreme sacrifice of those lost with THRESHER can best be remembered by never letting it happen again.

2012 6^th Annual Jr. & Sr. Tradesmen of the Year Awards: Call for NOMINATIONS!

Nomination forms for the 2012 Tradesmen of the Year awards were released March 15, 2012, The final submissions are due no later than Friday April 27, 2012  Download the Form HERE Each year we find that companies who have an internal program for recognizing exceptional performance among employees submit the best nominations. We encourage our members to consider a plan that gives your top employees the best chance for receiving this award. Please refer questions, and/or to receive sample documents to Michelle Tomaszewski at 757.233.7034.

On Saturday April 14th five ship yards competed for bragging rights to be called "The Yard" on the Rumble in the Morning show. Competing yards BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Earl Industries, Colonna's, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Newport News Shipyard brought their families out to the Taylor Bend YMCA to crate a ship out of cardboard that resembled a naval vessel, used minimal duct tape and could bear alot of weight in water. NNSY won with 274 lbs. We look forward to the event next year!

The Virginian-Pilot article

WVEC News Coverage

PLANNING, FRESH IDEAS KEEP OLDER WORKERS THRIVING AT YOUR COMPANY

 Our nation’s aging workforce is increasingly on the minds of anyone who owns or manages a business where planning for the future means taking a serious look at what we call “aging in place.”  The term is also used for seniors who want to remain in their homes throughout their lifetime rather than transition to a retirement option.  The adage is quite appropriate for employees too with our demographics increasingly riding the “Silver Sunami” wave.  By 2025, the population of older workers (55+) will reach an astounding 20 percent.  Studies show that older workers have no intention of retiring to golf courses, gardening and retirement destinations when they reach 62 either.  Many want to continue working, whether for the satisfaction or the paycheck—or both—and that’s good news for our businesses. 

Older workers are loyal, conscientious, efficient, dependable, patient and above all…experienced.  They are a valuable asset in almost every industry and yet there are physical realities we must confront with age such as diminished flexibility, strength, range of motion, vision and hearing as well as the ability to heal.  The other reality is that there are jobs where employees must be able to function at optimal physical performance or face safety risk factors.  That’s where solid health care management policies and practices in place best benefit companies and certainly your occupational health and medical care professional can help with the application of those processes to ensure they meet regulatory and legal requirements and help with the complexities and challenges of managing an aging workforce that can actually exceed productivity goals.  It is a truism that medical costs rise with age.  Between the ages of 40 and 50 it’s a 25 percent increase which jumps to 35 percent for ages 50 to 60.  The good news (or perhaps it’s not such good news) is that age is less of a factor in health care costs than the presence of high health risk factors such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and diabetes.  Yes, I’m going to beat the wellness drum here again.  There is such a thing as “aging productivity” which is most definitely leading to an upswing in implementing employee wellness programs.  Wellness programs work but you can’t give up on them as some companies do when they don’t see results immediately.  According to a University of Michigan study of a Midwest utility company’s workplace wellness program it was found that over nine years, the company saved close to $5 million, a savings well worth the wait and investment.     

Balancing the scale of escalated medical costs among older workers is the fact that productivity actually increases when there is a higher rate of workers 55+.  They are not absent as much, are most satisfied with their jobs and have fewer workplace accidents because they tend to be careful and focused.  Realizing the value of older workers, especially those most loyal who want to stay with your company, can have surprising benefits in the area of productivity.  I was so inspired by the story of German automaker BMW when the company decided some years back to meet the challenge of its aging employees.  Not willing to take the easy way out and just get rid of older workers, BMW developed a fresh new strategy and proved that older workers are not synonymous with low production standards.  What they did left me with a lasting impression.  They created an assembly line skewed to its older demographics and then did something that I have done throughout my entire business career that absolutely yields results:  they asked their workers to tell them what they could change to improve their work environment to increase productivity.  They modified the assembly line using simple, cost-effective techniques such as providing special shoes that kept employees from experiencing painful achy feet when required to stand for lengthy periods; they enlarged computer screens; and provided workers with special tools to reduce physical strain.  I really appreciated this story because my own success in breaking new ground in efficiency and effectiveness in the field of occupational medicine is directly credited to my staff, many who have been with me since I started my business 17 years ago and who I know will age in place with me at Taylor Made Diagnostics.

Of course, it’s much easier to maintain safety in an office environment as compared to industrial, marine and manufacturing settings, but knowing what to prepare for, as BMW did, is more than half the battle.  As an example, among older workers, falls comprise one-third of injuries and remember, older bodies don’t mend as fast as younger ones so when there is an injury such as a fall, absenteeism and workers compensation payouts rise and productivity falls.  Preventing falls by implementing frequent inspections to relocate hoses, lines, electrical cords and other trip factors and paying attention to areas where there are slippery surfaces will go far in minimizing injuries…and it doesn’t cost that much to employ the “ounce of prevention” adage.  Small steps can most definitely yield large results in planning for and protecting your older workers and it’s a good investment no matter what type of business you operate. 

Caroline Taylor is an RN and President of Taylor Made Diagnostics, a leader in providing occupational medical services in Hampton Roads.  TMD is located at the Gateway at SoNo, 801 Poindexter Street, Suite 218 in Chesapeake, Va. 23324, 757-494-1688, www.tmdoccmed.com. Ms. Taylor is a 2011 Inside Business “Women in Business Achievement Award” honoree. 

Upcoming VSRA Courses!

We are pleased to offer the following courses:

Blueprint Reading and Technical Drawing

Date/Time: June 12-15 (7:30am-3:30pm)

Price: $475.00 per individual

This course is designed for rising welders, pipefitters, ship-fitters, electricians and workers who need a working knowledge of blueprint technology, symbols and design features specific to ships.

The course provides 28 hours of instruction with take-home activities, quizzes and a final exam. Attendees will receive critical drawing analysis experience, as well as hands-on blueprint activities.

NAVSEA Cableway Course

Date/Time: April 23-27 (8:00am-4:30pm)

Price: $975.00 per individual

The Cableway program is a week long course providing NAVSEA Cableway Training and Inspector Certification made available by AMSEC and is the only  endorsed   certification course available. Focal areas include safety and knowledge needed for inspecting cableways plus identification and corrective action procedures for     Category 1 & 2 discrepancies to include:

• Removal of Dead-end Cables
• Repair of Wire ways
• Fire Zone Insufficiencies
• Watertight Issues

Completion earns card endorsement and authorization to Inspect, Install and Repair:

Stuffing Tubes, Equip. Penetration, MCP’s, Hangers, Banding, Chafing, Cable Pulling, Planning Cable Routes, Dead Ending Cables, Cable Jacket Repair, Splicing and Testing Cables, Conduct Inspections.

Emergency First Response Certification

Date/Time: May 16 (7:30am-4:00pm)

Price: $135 per individual

This certification is a step beyond Red Cross certification and is more oriented to industrial environments. This one day 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. Plus! Blood Borne Pathogen Training!

Emergency First Response Refresher

Date/Time: May 17 (7:30am-11:30am)

Price: $100.00 per individual

This is a 1/2 day refresher from 7:30am to 11:30am for those who were certified in 2010, and their certification will expire in 2012. The EFR course meets OSHA Guidelines 29 CFR 1920.151 compliance standards for workplace safety.

If you would like more information or want to register for any of the courses listed above please contact Bahar Davis (757) 223-7034 BDavis@VirginiaShipRepair.org or visit www.VirginiaShipRepair.org

NBPI Prep

Date/Time: May 9-11 (8:00am – 3:30pm)

Price: $320.00 per individual
Preparing your students for the NBPI course saves your company time and money. The VSRA NBPI Prep course focuses on the areas students have the most difficulty in learning and passing on the Inspector exam. These areas are math, Standard Items 009-32 and applicable portions of 009-04, proper use of instruments and specific complex coatings documentation. Students will receive a copy of all materials in class; however they are HIGHLY encouraged to pre-read the applicable Standard Items prior to class to maximize their learning experience.

Navsea Basic Paint Inspector (NBPI)

Date/Time: May 21-25 (7:00am – 5:00pm)

Price: $795.00 per individual

VSRA is one of the few organizations authorized to instruct this very specialized course.  NBPI prepares Inspectors specifically for work on Naval vessels and includes a heavy concentration of Standard Items 009-32/04. VSRA has the highest pass rates in the country. This is partially because we also offer a Prep course focusing on instrument usage, math, and Standard Items 009-32/04 and partially because our Instructors do an excellent job of making sure students fully understand the content. In addition, our Instructors have decades of Navy coatings and QA specific experience.

OSHA 10hr Maritime Course #7615

Date/Time: June 1-2 (Fri 5pm-9pm) (Sat 8am-4pm)

Price: $195 per individual

The OSHA 10-hour course awards the 10-hour certification card and meets all of the mandated regulations for Maritime Industry (OSHA Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR 1915) course 7615 in a format that specifically addresses the challenges and  environmental conditions specific to shipyards.   In addition, ship yard specific      regulations and issues are covered in depth. Instructors are authorized by OSHA   endorsed certification programs.  The completion card is valid for 5 years at which time the course must be repeated. Our instructors are OSHA accepted certified to   conduct this class and grant the award of certification cards. Cards are issued through the Instructor’s certifying body. All books, material and certification costs are covered in the course fee.

**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.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee met on April 19, 2012 to review the April Newsletter.  The committee invites anyone interested in participating to join them at the next meeting. The committee meets the Thursday following the General Membership Luncheon meeting at 9:00 a.m. at QED Systems, Inc. at 4646 N. Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. The next meeting will be on May 17, 2012.

Contracts Committee

The Contracts Committee met on April 5, 2012.  The committee was updated on the Navy’s plans to accelerate the move of ships to Florida.  The Contracts committee meets the 1st Thursday of every month at the Norfolk offices of Troutman Sanders, Sixteenth Floor, 150 West Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia. The next committee meeting will be on May 3, 2012.

Environmental Committee

The Environmental Committee did not meet in April.  The committee meets the second Thursday of the odd numbered months at 10:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707. The next meeting will be on May 10, 2012.

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resource Committee met on April 4, 2012.  The guest speaker was Greg Giordano, a labor lawyer with Willcox & Savage who presented an excellent overview on the National Labor Relations Act and what every employer needs to know about Labor Law.  The committee will not meet for its regularly scheduled committee meeting in May due to the Human Resources Seminar held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.  The next regularly scheduled committee meeting will be at the Norfolk offices of Wilcox & Savage – 22nd Floor, 440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 2200, Norfolk, Virginia, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 6, 2012.

Quality Assurance Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee met on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.  The committee reviewed the VSRA Audit Database and delinquent audits.  There was a review of the CAR Status for MSMO contractors for 2011 and 2012.  The committee was briefed on the Surveillance SOP which will be conducted by 3 – 5 people and implemented in all ports.  This will involve unannounced surveillances of areas where there may be problems and high interest items.  The committee meets the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at Q.E.D. Systems, Inc., 4646 North Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. There will be no meeting in May.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

Safety Committee

The Safety Committee met on Thursday, April 12, 2012.  There were no Safety Suggestions submitted for the 1^st quarter.  VSRA members are encouraged to spread the word about this important program.  The 2012 17th Annual Safety & Health Seminar is scheduled for September 26, 2012 at the Ted Constant Convention Center at ODU. This year’s theme is “Safety Begins with You – Make it Personal.”  Members are encouraged to register early to reserve their seating since there is a maximum attendance of "200" participants. Sponsors for the Safety & Health Seminar are still needed. 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. The next meeting is on May 10, 2012.

Security Committee

The Security Committee met on April 10, 2012.   Mrs. Gina Dara with CNRMA Norfolk Regional Security Directorate was the guest speaker. She provided insight on the RAPIDGate program since implementation in Hampton Roads, the waiver process, and updates to CNICs web list.  Additionally, representatives from RAPIDGate were in attendance to answer questions and gather information from participating member companies.  The committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707. The next meeting is on May 8, 2012.

Worker’s Comp Committee

The Worker’s Comp Committee did not meet in April. The committee meets the second Thursday of the even numbered months at 10:00 a.m. in the United Coatings Corp. Training Room, 650 Chautauqua Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23707. The next meeting is on June 14, 2012.

VSRF

The Virginia Ship Repair Foundation did not meet in April.  The 6th Annual LEGO Competition FINALS will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2012, 8:00 a.m. at the Virginia Air & Space Center.  The Tradesmen of the Year Award nominations are due by Friday, April 27th, and the awards will be presented at the VSRA General Membership Luncheon meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

We wish to thank all of the volunteers for their help with Career Day Events.  We will keep you posted as new opportunities come available.   If you are interested in participating, please contact Sylva Bell, at (757)233-7034, e-mail:  sbell@VirginiaShipRepair.org