Dennis Fanguy News

The last barrier to robotic shipbuilding has just fallen. What comes next will be truly exciting. It wasn’t too long ago that SSI and Wolf Robotics demonstrated some co-development which automatically drove a fully autonomous welding robot to weld several ship panels. SSI develops Autodesk based solutions for the shipbuilding and offshore industry including ShipConstructor software, an AutoCAD based CAD/CAM product line; and EnterprisePlatform, a tool for sharing product data model information. For its part, Wolf Robotics has been integrating robotic welding and cutting systems since 1978. The collaboration was part of a National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) Computer Aided Robotics Welding (CAR-W) project with U.S. shipyards.

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards, LLC announced its vice president for quality management system, Dennis Fanguy, will receive the 2015 William M. Kennedy from the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers (SNAME). The award, given in recognition of outstanding service and contribution in the development of systems and planning applying to shipbuilding and ship repair, will be presented to Fanguy at the World Maritime Technology Conference / SNAME Maritime Convention in Providence, R.I. at the President’s Luncheon on November 6, 2015.

The Certification Board of ASQ announced that Dennis Fanguy has completed the requirements to be named an ASQ-Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, or ASQ CMQ/OE. Fanguy is Bollinger’s Vice President of Quality Management Systems. As such, Fanguy has reached a significant level of professional recognition, indicating a proficiency in and a comprehension of quality management principles and practices. Individuals who earn this certification are allowed to use “ASQ CMQ/OE” on their business cards and professional correspondence.

Bollinger Shipyards is relying on ShipConstructor 3D marine production software to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC). The Sentinel Class is a new generation of USCG patrol boat that is a replacement for the Island Class Cutters Bollinger built almost a quarter century ago. The contract for up to 34 vessels is expected to last ten years. These cutters are based on a Damen 4708 hull form modified by Bollinger using ShipConstructor to meet the US Coast Guard’s specific requirements.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., has promoted two senior department heads at Bollinger’s headquarters in Lockport, La. Dennis Fanguy has been appointed vice president, engineering and Robert McDonough has been named vice president and general manager of Bollinger’s new construction division at Lockport. Fanguy’s shipbuilding career was launched in 1980 at Halter Marine, where he served as chief electrical engineer while earning a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Orleans at night. He joined Bollinger in 1984 as an electrical project engineer and has risen through tasks including: chief project engineer; chief engineer; director of program management, and technical director.

Consolidation in the maritime industry is not something new. In the past five years, oil majors such as Exxon and Mobil, and BP, Amoco and Arco have all consolidated. Shipyards haven't been immune to mergers, either; as Halter was purchased by Friede Goldman; and Litton Ingalls consolidated with Avondale. But, when equipment manufacturers begin to consolidate, the effects aren't quite as obvious. In the past five years, Caterpillar acquired MaK and, more recently, Sabre. And Rolls-Royce has joined the buying frenzy with such zeal and aggression, it's almost easier to list companies not owned by the propulsion giant. Part of the ambiguity of the merger between equipment manufacturers is, typically, the existing product line is still maintained; just owned and distributed by the new company.

The National Shipbuilding Research Program, in conjunction with NAVSEA Lean, is sponsoring its fourth Lean Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Forum September 12-14, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville, Fla. Keynote speakers will include senior shipbuilding industry executives and government officials, including RADM Mark Hugel, NAVSEA's Deputy Commander for Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations and Dennis Fanguy, Vice President of Quality Management System at Bollinger Shipyards. In response to industry's request for more best-practice sharing, Lean Forum 2006 will offer attendees the opportunity to participate in four facilitated, small-group discussions. Every attendee will also have the opportunity to tour two local facilities that showcase Lean implementation.

As Bollinger Lockport New Construction (BLN) continues to grow, Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. announces changes to its managerial staff. Dennis Fanguy has been appointed to the position of vice president of quality management system where his responsibilities will encompass the programs in quality assurance / quality control, process improvement, accuracy control and test and trial groups for BLN, as well as the company’s ISO program. Fanguy has been with Bollinger for twenty-one years. He headed the design team for 115 patrol boats built by Bollinger for the U.S. Coast Guard. He also headed the team that designed the only fleet of U.S. Navy Fast Patrol boats ever built, which were also constructed at Bollinger. Fanguy is a graduate of the University of New Orleans in Electrical Engineering.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has opened its new satellite marine engineering and naval architecture office in Slidell, La., on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans. The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Boysie Bollinger, chairman and CEO of the company, Rhinehart Dearing, chief of staff for the city of Slidell, and officials from the city, parish (county) and state. Scott Theriot, executive vice-president of new construction for Bollinger said the office was opened to accommodate increasing business, expanding product lines and planned new services. He said the location is ideal because it is in the heart of a high tech and shipbuilding corridor which includes a highly skilled, professional talent pool from industry, government and academia.