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Newsletter: May/June 2009 Newsletter

MAY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

We are pleased to welcome Dale Baugh, Director of Aircraft Carrier Life Cycle Support Programs for Northrop Grumman Newport News. His responsibilities include supporting the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier program by meeting life cycle support, customer and company objectives. He will also ensure that CVN 21 Class life cycle support initiatives align with current in-service carrier maintenance plans.
 
Prior to joining Newport News, Baugh held the position of senior director, Navy programs for Todd Pacific Shipyards, where he was responsible for Navy contract execution. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy Postgraduate School and has held positions of increasing responsibility for Navy ship maintenance programs. He retired from the Navy after 32 years of service, culminating as director of fleet maintenance for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He also commanded Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
 
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 122,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

APRIL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

A total of 122 members and guests were in attendance.
 
Before the committee reports were given Tom Godfrey, Mal Branch, and Buck Hodges presented Mr. Jerry Alvin (Ocean Tech Services LLC) with a $500 voucher, and tool bag as the 3rd recipient of the VSRF Equipment Grant program. 
 
Membership:   Leigh Kennedy reported that one new member had been voted in by the VSRA Board of Directors.  The member welcomed in was Bay Environmental, Inc. (Chesapeake).
 
We were pleased to welcome Capt. Mike Stanton, Surface Ship Maintenance Program Manager, USFF N431, as our guest speaker. He informed guests about the objectives, processes, and focus of USFF N431.  Some points included:
 
  • He thanked those members present for all their hard work and efforts within the industry.
  • The objective of N431 is a Planned Service Life View of maintenance.
  • 3 Highest Priorities: 
1.) 313 surface ships and Navy must achieve planned service life for ships in inventory (each ship needs to get 50 yrs of life). 
2.) Stability and refining maintenance requirements.
3.) Developing & deploying sound maintenance practices, processes, and strategies.
  • The Fleet Maintenance Board is “locked in” on the Surface Ship Maintenance Program.  Carriers currently get more maintenance than other surface ships.  However, modified docking cycles and parametric analysis is under review for surface ships.
  • There continues to be concern in the Navy about the industrial base versus service life risk.  They want the local yards to survive and thrive like any other Hampton Roads resident.
  • MSMO is still the preferred method:  Execution and planning—they will stabilize MSMO improvements and do incremental Spiral 2 improvements.
  • His relief will be CAPT Stephanie Douglas. Until that time he looks forward to participating with the VSRA Contracts Committee’s monthly meetings.
 
With no further business before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.  The next meeting of the VSRA General Membership is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 12:00 Noon, at the Renaissance Hotel, Portsmouth.  Our guest speaker will be Dale Baugh, CVN-21.
 

SURFACE SHIP LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY STANDS UP

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
 
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) formally established the Surface Ship Life Cycle Management (SSLCM) Activity on May 8 in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Va.  SSLCM will be aligned under the deputy commander for surface warfare (SEA 21).  SSLCM Activity will regularly work with the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Surface Warfare Enterprise, Board of Inspection and Survey and other NAVSEA and Navy offices to carry out their mission.

The SSLCM Activity will maintain, monitor and refine class maintenance plans for all non-nuclear surface ships to ensure material readiness for the projected service life, develop life-cycle strategies to address system upgrades, and fully implement the Integrated Class Maintenance Plan into each surface ship's maintenance schedule and availability planning process.

 


Since Planning, Estimating, Repair and Alterations (PERA) Surface in Philadelphia was deactivated in 1993 as part of the BRAC process, surface fleet class maintenance and availability planning has been executed by Regional Maintenance Centers and the type commander.

The activity will be headquartered at NNSY in Portsmouth. Initially staffed with about 40 people, the activity is expected to grow in the near future.

NAVY COMMAND CHANGES

RADM Mark A. Hugel, Deputy Commander Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations, Naval Sea Systems Command, will be relieved by RADM Joseph F. Campbell, previously Director, Fleet Maintenance, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (N43). RADM Campbell is being relieved by RADM John Clarke Orzalli, previously Commander, Regional Maintenance Centers. 
 
Effective October 1, 2009, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) will be integrated into Norfolk Naval Shipyard in accordance with the BRAC directive, and MARMC will no longer exist. Capt. Scott Mattingly will command the Norfolk Ship Support Activity, and the contracts, waterfront operations, and port engineer functions will report to him. The balance of the MARMC ship support functions will report to Capt. Richard Berkey, Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

3rd ANNUAL SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY AWARENESS LEGO COMPETITION

On Friday, April 24, eleven middle schools from Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Suffolk  competed in the 3rd Annual Ship Repair Industry Awareness LEGO Competition in the Living Sea Landing Theater at Nauticus. The teams will competed before a panel of ship repair industry judges by presenting their design, innovation, design fit within a specified budget, and their oral and visual presentation.
 
Awards:
1st Place – The School of International Studies at Meadowbrook “VSRA Design Team”, Norfolk VA received a specially designed LEGO kit for the students to build a real 3-D model of their design, tickets to Nauticus, and a cash/incentive award of $500.
 
2nd Place – Northside Middle School, “Northside LEGO Stars”, Norfolk, VA received a cash/incentive award of $250 and tickets to Nauticus.
 
3rd Place – Blair Middle School, “Clipper Pride”, Norfolk, VA received a cash/incentive award of $100 and tickets to Nauticus for the design team.
 
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the sponsors and judges!

HUMAN RESOURCES SEMINAR

Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration begins at 8:30 am
This is a 1/2 day seminar sponsored by the VSRA Human Resources Committee, and is open only to VSRA Members.  It will cover a variety of topics essential to the HR Professional.   
Please note - The seminar will promptly start at 9am.  Registration begins at 8:30 am
AGENDA  - Human Resources Seminar 2009
0900-0920 - Registration
 
 0920-0930 - Welcome and Introduction-Chris Abel and Mal Branch
 
 0930-1015 - Workplace Drug Testing - Dr. Timothy Lee, M.D, M.S.,                         Taylor Made Diagnostics
 
1015-1100 - Generational Issues in Employee Benefits - Greg Kinnerly
 
1100-1130 - Lunch
 
1130-1215 - The New FMLA Regulations - Bruce Clark, US Department
                                of Labor
 
1215-1300 - Latest Developments in Employment Law - Chris Abel,
                               Troutman Sanders LLP
Course Location: Virginia Beach Troutman Sanders Office, 20th Floor, Town Point Center Armada Hofler Building, 222 Central Park Drive. There will be no charge to park if you use the garage attached to the building. For directions please call 687-7500.

Member Price: $50.00
Maximum Slots Available: 30

NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

Friday, May 22, 2009 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center at Nauticus
 
Guest Speaker: The Honorable Gary Lock, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce (Invited)
Pierside tours of NOAA Survey Ship Thomas Jefferson 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Tickets $45
Register on line at www.vamaritime.com

NAUTICAL TERMS OF THE MONTH: BITTER END

From http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/terms0101.htm
The end of the anchor line secured to a sturdy post on the deck called a bitt. The line was paid out in order to set the anchor. However, if the water was deeper than anticipated the rope would pay out to the bitter end . . . ooops.

COMMITTEE UPDATE

Communications Committee
The committee did not meet in April because the regularly scheduled meeting was held on Easter Monday. The committee collaborated on the newsletter via e-mail. 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 April meeting, the committee was briefed on the National Ship Repair Industry Conference. There was extensive participation by both the Navy and legislators. Within the next month, they expect Secretary Stackley to issue the Navy policy on contracting for MS/MO, AIT and Sea Port contract use. There will be a second JINII planning meeting this spring to list the issues ship repairers have. 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 April meeting, Chris reminded everyone about the HR Seminar being held May 20 at the Virginia Beach office of Troutman Sanders. Companies were requested to participate in Career Days that VSRA is sponsoring with local schools. Kristina Vaquera, a labor attorney with Troutman Sanders, was the guest speaker. She discussed the Employee Free Choice Act. 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 April meeting, Ken reported that the NAVSEA Level 1 audit is scheduled for the week of April 20. The committee is working on getting the QA database up to date. The committee will check to see if there is interest in having a class on training auditors. MARMC will audit all prime contractors at the end of each contract availability. 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
The newly formed Environmental Committee will meet quarterly; the first meeting was April 10. The committee discussed the upcoming Safety Seminar. Dewitt Davis reported the deadline for Standard Item changes is May 22. The Safety Orientation Task Force is working on the Disclosure Statement. The VSRA/OSHA partnership meeting will be held April 27 at the Norfolk Workforce Development Center. 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 March meeting, the committee heard a presentation by representatives of the Defense Security Service.  Some of their recommendations included copying Beth Whatley as well as your IS rep on emails regarding any company change conditions, i.e. violations, administrative inquire reports and SF-328 submissions; being timely in corrective actions; providing ongoing education/briefings to personnel; checking DSS website often for updates; and reporting all suspicious behaviors to CI. 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: May 27, Sept 17, Oct 21, Nov 5, and Dec 3 2009, 7:30 am – 11:30 am
LOCATION: Tecnico Corp., Chesapeake, VA
SESSION 2 DATES: June 25, 2009 from 7:30 am – 11:30 am
LOCATION: BAE Systems, Norfolk Ship Repair, Bldg 205
 
First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder Certification
COST: $105.00 VSRA members; $150.00 Non VSRA members
DATE: May 27,2009
LOCATION: Tecnico Corp.
DATE: June 24, 2009
LOCATION:  BAE Systems, Bldg 205
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: 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.
 
 
Junior Supervisor’s Leadership and Safety Course
Location sponsored by Old Dominion University
COST: $425.00 VSRA members; $495.00 Non VSRA members
DATES: May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, 2009, 7:30am - 3:30pm
LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA.
 
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.
 
 
NAVSEA Standard Items FY10 Training
Course approved by NAVSEA
COST: $225.00 VSRA members; $280.00 Non VSRA members
DATES: May 27-28, 2009 8:00am - 4:00pm
LOCATION: United Coatings Corp., 650 Chautauqua Ave Portsmouth VA 23707
DATE: June 17-18, 2009, 8:00am - 4:00pm
LOCATION: BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Bldg 205
 
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!
 
 
NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Prep Course
COST: $175.00 VSRA members; $225.00 Non VSRA members
DATE: June 23-25, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days
LOCATION: Earl Industries, Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA
DATE: September 30-October 1, 2009 8:00am-4:30pm both days
LOCATION: ODU/ VATPDC Bldg 4111 Norfolk
DATE: December 2-3, 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: July 6-10, 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: May 18-22, 2009, 8:00am – 4:00pm
LOCATION: BAE Systems, Norfolk Ship Repair
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.