United Defense announced the presentation of an environmental stewardship award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Southwest Marine (SWM), its San Diego, Calif., shipyard.
EPA Chief of Staff Thomas J. Gibson presented the award to SWM for the company's “outstanding voluntary contributions to environmental protection.” Southwest Marine played a key role, partnering with the EPA, in the development of an Environmental Management Systems Guide. This guide provides a plan for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry to help eliminate or greatly reduce potential sources of environmental pollution during the production process.
Southwest Marine helped develop methods to implement pollution prevention programs, legal and company compliance procedures and continuous improvement procedures for the guide. Additionally, SWM's own internal environmental policy was incorporated into the industry guide, as it represents all the principles of a sound environmental management system. The EPA is partnering with
the American Shipbuilding Association and the Shipbuilders Council of America for production and distribution of this innovative guide to environmental protection.