Norfolk to Receive New Damage Control School Trainer

By Robin Willis, Naval Facility Engineering Command Public Affairs

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Mid-Atlantic, awarded a $12,030,960 contract, Feb. 28, to the Hascall Company, Jacksonville, Fla., for design and construction of a two-story damage control school trainer facility at Naval Support Activity, Norfolk.

"The Navy's commitment to training our Sailors is reflected in the construction of this new and modernized facility," said Lt. Al Sears of the Center for Naval Engineering Learning Site.

Damage control schools give recruits firsthand experience in firefighting and hull repair at sea. The new facility will provide student training on techniques to arrest ship flooding. Construction includes a damage control wet trainer (Buttercup), trainer rooms, classrooms, and support spaces. Demolition includes a portion of Building N30, also including a pool, trainer device and associated equipment, where the current wet-trainer exists on Naval Station Norfolk.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, and is expected to be completed by September 2009. As an integral part of the NAVFAC enterprise, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic manages the planning, design, and construction of shore facilities for the U.S. Navy from Maine to North Carolina.