Featured Article: Fiber Optic Process Implementation and Risk Management

With the ever-increasing technological advances in the Ship Repair Industry, the workforce is driven to acquire new skills and business processes. As the complexity of systems used by the United States Navy on its ships evolves, it consistently needs to maintain a highly skilled and trained workforce. As for training, the Navy must set standards such that the U.S Navy sailors and supporting agencies are trained by certified companies and individuals. By process implementation, the Navy can be proactive and control risk. With risk mitigation, we reduce injury and failure rates; which are important to both the Navy and Industry.

Fiber Optics is becoming a stimulating topic for the United States Navy as well as shipyards, contractors, and other supporting activities.

As of January 1, 2018, the requirement to perform Fiber Optic work on United States Navy Vessels has changed due to the revision of NAVSEA Standard Item 009-123 and MIL-STD 1678-1D. Within NAVSEA Standard Item 009-123 section 3.1 the document states; “Ensure employees accomplishing work (e.g., installer, QA Oversight, direct supervision) on fiber optic systems have accomplished Navy shipboard fiber optic training and achieved certification in accordance with requirement 1306 part 1 of 2.2”.

MIL STD 1678-1D requirement 1306 states; “Personnel that are required to have Navy Shipboard fiber optic training include fiber optic installers, supervisors, and Quality Assurance (QA) personnel. These Personnel include (but are not limited to) installers, technicians, and QA personnel employed by: Ship Builders, SUPSHIP, and Government/Contracted Installation/Repair Teams, AIT’s, Ship/Planning Yards, OSRs, RMCs, FMAs, ISEAs and Industrial Activities”.

How does this affect the fleet? To start, the United States Navy has been installing fiber optics on its ships since the early 1980’s and has not treated fiber optics as it has other components on its vessels. The government is now monitoring Fiber Optic training by certifying agencies to deliver Fiber Optic training that meets government standards (NAVSEA Drawing 8477552).

NSWC Dahlgren is the Technical Direction Agent (TDA) for Navy Shipboard Fiber Optics and provides all applicable information and requirements.  Fiber Optic networks are the main data communications medium on the Navy’s ships and this new requirement alone will reduce risks to include safety and quality.

As Kevin Barks (FTC Norfolk) stated in 2002, “If it’s not carrying power, it will be fiber”. His statement is commanding as it is becoming reality.  With the new standard individuals will arrive on the Navy’s ships with the proper knowledge and standard practices to conduct their Fiber Optic tasks effectively and efficiently.  

For specific training requirements please visit the NSWC Dahlgren website to locate a Certified Fiber Optic Trainer.

About The Author

Matthew Daugherty is the Program Manager for kSARIA’s NAVSEA Certified Fiber Optic Training Program. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Old Dominion University and has over ten years’ experience with Navy Shipboard HM&E systems and Navy Training.

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