Jim Langevin News

The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack submarine, future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), was christened during a ceremony at General Dynamics’ Electric Boat shipyard facility in Groton, Conn., July 31.“This submarine is a fitting tribute to Admiral Rickover, who truly transformed our Navy,” said Adm. James Caldwell, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, during his remarks at the celebration.Caldwell credited Rickover – who served for 63 years in the Navy and is credited…

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced the designation of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE), recognizing community colleges and training institutions that prepare students for careers in the U.S. maritime industry.One of the 27 schools and institutions recognized is the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).The designation allows CCRI to work with MARAD to enter into cooperative agreements to help advance recruitment of students and faculty…

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued a statement in support of two bills introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, which would both extend the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind energy.The legislation comes at a critical time for offshore wind in America, as energy developers prepare to start construction on the first wave of large-scale projects.The Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act introduced by Senators Markey (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), as well as the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act introduced by Senators Carper (D-DE) and Collins (R-ME) would…

Power developer Deepwater Wind said its Block Island Wind Farm has begun delivering electricity into the New England region’s grid, becoming the United States’ first commercially active offshore wind farm. The energy produced from the Block Island Wind Farm is linked to the New England grid via Block Island and mainland Rhode Island by National Grid’s new sea2shore submarine transmission cable system. The milestone concludes the two-year offshore installation of the wind farm, which Deepwater Wind said was completed on-time and on-budget with the help of more than 300 local workers.

In comments before the international Tradewinds Ship Owners Forum in New York City, Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen highlighted the more than 42,700 jobs, $3.6 billion in labor income and $4.78 billion in GDP associated with employment for shipbuilding and repair in the northeast region. “American shipyards provide a dependable, highly trained workforce that produce, repair and maintain some of the world’s most modern and innovative vessels. Their efforts ensure our…

Atlantic Wind Transfers, Blount Boats and Deepwater Wind welcome key U.S. Atlantic Wind Transfers, the commercial wind support services arm of Rhode Island Fast Ferry, joined boat builder Blount Boats and offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind on August 12 for an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony and to tour the first offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel in the U.S currently under construction. The event at the Blount Boats yard in Warren, R.I., brought together local supply chain businesses to celebrate the economic benefits of the Block Island Wind Farm project to U.S. firms.

The Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus met yesterday with shipbuilding industry officials to discuss commercial and military shipbuilding priorities. The event was part of the Shipbuilding Industry Day Conference hosted by the American Shipbuilding Association. During a discussion among members of Congress, presidents of the Big Six shipyards, shipbuilding labor representatives, and major ship system and component manufacturers from across the country, the group outlined the threats facing the Nation if our naval fleet and shipbuilding industry continue to decline. Shipbuilding Caucus co-chairs Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) and Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS) were joined by Congressmen Tom Allen (D-ME)…

The Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark, an 87-ft. coastal patrol boat, was commissioned by Rear Adm. David Pekoske, Coast Guard First District commander, in a ceremony held at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I., today. Key attendees included U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin, representative for the Second District of Rhode Island, who delivered the keynote address, the Congressman's mother June Barrett Langevin, was the cutter's sponsor, and a representative of Bollinger Shipyard Inc. Lt.j.g. Grant Thomas assumed command of the Tiger Shark. The cutter was named after one of the most feared sharks in the world and gets its name from the dark stripes across its back. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Lisa M. Hennings

The Globe is reporting that the cargo ship bears the name Osama. It's been registered in Syria. And it's steaming toward Los Angeles. That's the mock scenario playing out on a bank of giant plasma screens lined up for a demo here at Raytheon Co.'s Naval Integration Center on Narragansett Bay. The vessel has been tagged as suspicious based on data culled from shipping records. Raytheon engineers are using software to track its course. And they're combing databases tracing its history, ownership, and sister ships heading for US waters. Athena is part of a larger push by Raytheon, the nation's fifth-largest military contractor, into homeland security.

Demonstrating an affordable and proven capability to strengthen America's port security, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) officials and Rhode Island legislative leaders recently commemorated the opening of the Athena Maritime Domain Awareness Fusion Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Athena system fuses a large number of existing sensor data to provide decision makers with the real-time maritime situational awareness they need to enable quick, responsive actions to protect the country's shoreline. Attending the event were Gov. Don Carcieri, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Lincoln Davenport Chafee, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and Congressman Jim Langevin, who joined IDS President Dan Smith and Petryszyn in cutting the ribbon.