VSRA News

Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC), RDML Dave Gale, has issued a new CNRMC NOTICE 4791 providing Navy polich on "Adding Work to Availability Work Packages (AWP) for Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Availabilities.

You can find the Notice HERE.

John Pyron, Vice President of W R Systems, Ltd., and Director of Federal Business for the Engineering Services Division located in Norfolk,VA, has been elected Vice President of the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors (TASC).  TASC is an organization dedicated to excellence in contracting in the public and private sectors. Mr. Pyron is a retired Navy officer with over 25 years experience in program management and marketing, and earned his BSBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and his MBA from Vanderbilt University.

Norfolk Naval Ship Yard took home the prize for bragging rights to be called "THE Yard" on the Rumble in the Morning show

Approval Today Advances Governor's Goal to make Virginia "The Energy Capital of the East Coast

RICHMOND VA“ Governor McDonnell announced today that the Virginia Marine Resources Commission has voted unanimously to approve proposed construction of a 479-foot-tall, five-megawatt wind turbine generator prototype in the lower Chesapeake Bay, three miles off the Eastern Shore town of Cape Charles. The construction of the prototype turbine is scheduled to be completed in late 2013, which would be before other offshore wind energy projects are slated to be built in other parts of the country. The expected design life of the prototype turbine is expected to be 20 years or more. The submarine cable system is expected to last more than 100 years.This prototype is a significant step forward in Governor Bob McDonnell's goal to pursue an "all of the above” energy approach including wind, coal, nuclear, oil, and renewable energy projects making Virginia the energy capital of the East Coast. The project now requires approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and review by the U.S. Coast Guard.

AMP TO ADMINISTRATION: U.S. VESSELS READY, WILLING & ABLE TO TRANSPORT FUEL TO NORTHEAST:   With concerns that refinery closures in the Northeast may cause gas prices to increase further, the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) notified the Administration that American vessels have ample capacity to transport petroleum to the region from the Gulf of Mexico. AMP’s letter comes after a federal analysis omitted key data about the domestic shipping industry’s overall capacity. “Today, there is more than adequate American tank vessel capacity to address any additional refinery closures,” the AMP Board of Directors wrote in a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Homeland Security Secretary Ja net Napolitano and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Click here to read more. 

 NAVY LEAGUE POLICY STATEMENT SAYS JONES ACT VITAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY:  A recently released annual policy statement from the Navy League of the United States says the Jones Act is critical to U.S. economic, homeland and national security. The policy statement says the Navy League supports "The Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Act, which are important to economic and national security because they protect critical national infrastructure and provide added sealift capacity through the VISA, an expanded pool of trained and experienced mariners to crew U.S. government-owned sealift assets and help sustain the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industrial base that is vital to the U.S. Nav y and Coast Guard."  Click here to read more. 

 SHIPPING SEASON UNDERWAY ON GREAT LAKES:  The Great Lakes Jones Act fleet has shaken off its winter slumber. The first ship got underway on March 5 and the active fleet has been steadily growing since then. The March 24 opening of the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., means shipping is in full swing again. Click here to read more. 

American Maritime Partnership ("AMP") is the voice of the U.S. domestic maritime industry, a pillar of our nation‘s economic, national, and homeland security. More than 40,000 American vessels built in American shipyards and crewed by American mariners ply our waters 24/7, and this commerce sustains nearly 500,000 jobs, $29 billion in labor compensation, and more than $100 billion in annual economic output according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the Transportation Institute. So efficient are these vessels that they carry a quarter of the nation‘s cargo for only 2 percent of the national freight bill, and being American owned, built and crewed helps make America more secure.

THE VIRGINIA Ship Repair Association is proud to join WHRO and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in supporting the “American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen” initiative. We believe the future of Hampton Roads and our vital maritime industry depends on encouraging young people to graduate and become contributing members of our community.

Here is another excellent resource from Shipbuilders Council of America

As part of SCA's effort to keep our members informed in a timely manner of budget deliberations and activity that will ultimately affect U.S. business and industry, attached for your your reference is a brief synopsis of the budgets presented this week by the House and Senate budget committees.  We hope this document provides you with a working knowledge of this year's congressional budget resolution process, and we will update you with relevant budget toplines and allocations as the process continues.

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET RESOLUTIONS

Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $9.98 Million to Strengthen U.S. Shipyard Competitiveness

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $9.98 million in grants to 15 small shipyards throughout the United States to pay for modernizations that will increase productivity and help the country’s small shipyards compete in the global marketplace.

“In cities and towns across America, shipyards are creating jobs and keeping our nation's economy growing," said Secretary LaHood. "These small shipyard grants reflect the Obama administration's commitment to strengthening our transportation systems and creating an economy that's built to last."

The U.S Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grants Program provides equipment and technical skills training for America’s maritime workforce, helping these businesses compete in the global marketplace while creating well-paying jobs at home.

The following explanation of "sequestration" was prepared by Shipbuilders Council of America for their members.  As an SCA member, VSRA feel it is important to give our members the benefit of this well-done primer.

"Given the robust attention that has been and will continue to be given to the matter of sequestration and how it will affect U.S. business and industry, we want to make sure you are informed on the subject in order to effectively participate in this important national discussion.  Attached for your reference is a brief backgrounder on the history of sequestration and the current state of affairs.  We hope this document provides you with a baseline understanding of the concept of sequestration, and we plan to provide you periodic updates as the debate progresses."

SEQUESTRATION PRIMER 

The following was received from Dave Shutter, Security Manager at NSSA, concerning the Solid Curtain / Citadel Shield force protection expercise that begins next week. This WILL impact ship repair work on the bases. Please plan accordingly.

"All,

Just a reminder, Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield kicks off next week and will run through 3/24 (0900). This exercise will be occurring throughout the United States at all Naval Installations. Elevation of FPCON and increased security measures are anticipated at all CONUS Navy installations for the duration of the exercise.

Attached is the Letter of Instruction (LOI) for the upcoming SC/CS12 event scheduled for next week.