New US Navy RoRo & LCS Contracts
American Overseas Marine Corp., of Quincy, Mass., and Bath Iron Works Bath, Maine, awarded Navy contract modifications. The U.S. American Overseas Marine Corp is being awarded a $14,502,237 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-10-C-5300) to exercise a one-year option period for the operation and maintenance of seven large, medium speed, roll-on/roll-off ships. When activated, these ships will transport equipment in support of deployed U.S. military forces worldwide. Work will be performed in waters worldwide, and work is expected to be completed by April 2014. Bath Iron Works , is being awarded a $12,599,317 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2302) to exercise an option for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Class Design Services.
Exclusive Remedy for Crewman injured on Public Vessel
In an unpublished decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the exclusive remedy for a crewman injured on a public vessel is against the federal government. In the instant case, plaintiff seaman was injured while cleaning gun barrels onboard a public vessel that was operated by a contract company. After waiting more than two years to file suit (thus overrunning the statute of limitations under the Public Vessels Act), plaintiff brought suit against the contract company. Plaintiff asserted that he should be allowed to proceed with his action because the remedy that he might have had against the government no longer existed due to the statute of limitations.
NNS Wins Two Ship Repair Contracts
Newport News Shipbuilding has been awarded two separate contracts for ship repair work. The first award is for the M/V 1st Lt. Alex Bonnyman, a Military Sealift Command (MSC) pre-positioning ship chartered through Maersk Lines. Work being performed on the ship includes hull blasting and painting; tank blasting and painting; overhaul of deck cranes; survey and repair of main propulsion equipment; repair of machinery components; cargo equipment refurbishment; and deck equipment survey and repair. The ship is 755 ft. long with a beam of 90 ft. Bonnyman arrived at NNS on Oct. 1 and will remain at the company for approximately a month. NNS also performed work on this ship in 1995 and 1997. The second contract is for the SS Cape Nome. A MARAD cargo ship, Cape Nome arrived at Newport News on Oct.
