Supship News

Schneider Named Engineering Director at Bollinger Mississippi Shipyard

Bollinger Shipyards announced it has hired Nathan Schneider as Director of Engineering for its Bollinger Mississippi Shipyard (BMS). As Director of Engineering, Schneider will be responsible for leading the BMS Engineering Department in support of various Department of Defense and commercial new construction programs.“As we continue to grow and expand to meet the changing needs of our customers, it’s important that the leadership team and broader organization evolve to meet those demands and provide the highest levels of quality…

Halter Marine Gearing Up for Icebreaker Build with New Plasma Cutter

Halter Marine unveiled its new PythonX plasma cutter as the Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder adds new equipment to gear up for construction of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC).The newly acquired Lincoln Electric PythonX will allow for steel parts to be cut via computerized numeric control (CNC) driven by the yard's 3D production design models, taking the place of the traditional hand-cut method. Previously, cuts were made manually by shipbuilders with acetylene torches.Bringing in high-tech tools such as the new plasma cutter…

USS Tripoli Delivered

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) to the U.S. Navy on Friday. Tripoli will be commissioned later this year before sailing to its homeport of San Diego.Amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready group or expeditionary strike group. These ships transport elements of the Marine expeditionary unit or Marine expeditionary brigade with a combination of aircraft and landing craft.

Swiftships to Procure Patrol Craft Kits for Egyptian Navy

On June 28, 2016 Louisiana-based Swiftships, LLC, was awarded a $15 million firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract involving Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to procure four 28-meter KITs for the Egyptian Navy (EN). The contract will allow Swiftships to procure KITs so the EN can assemble/coproduce these 28m coastal patrol craft (CPC) in Alexandria, Egypt. The 28m CPCs will include: 4.7-meter rigid inflatable boats, forward looking infrared system, diagnostic equipment and contractor engineering technical services.

SUPSALV & Finding El Faro

Last month we were offered an in-depth discussion on marine salvage with Captain Gregg W. Baumann, U.S. Navy, Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. Captain Baumann and his team have a long history regarding difficult missions accomplished, including most recently the location and filming of the lost TOTE containership El Faro. What is the scope of the responsibility of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving; Director of Ocean Engineering? The responsibilities of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving…

Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath Change of Command Held

Capt. Michael Taylor relieved Capt. Robert Crowe as commanding officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Bath, during a ceremony at Bath Waterfront Park on Sept. As the 30th commanding officer, Taylor reports to SUPSHIP Bath after serving most recently as the test and evaluation director for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Office. Over the course of his 21-year career, he also served assignments with the Programming Division of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N80), the Arleigh Burke-class Program Office, and the Personnel Exchange Program in Ottawa, Canada. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he has also served aboard USS Anzio (CG 68).

Submarine Minnesota First Sea Trial a Success

Huntington Ingalls Industries informs that the Virginia-class submarine 'Minnesota' (SSN 783) being built at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully completed its first round of sea tests and evaluations. All systems, components and compartments were tested during the trials. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds on the surface and under water. Minnesota will undergo two more rounds of sea trials, including one with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, before delivery later this month. Minnesota is anticipated to deliver approximately 11 months ahead of its contracted delivery date.

Ingalls Delivers Composite Deckhouse for US Navy

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has delivered the composite deckhouse for the destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) to the U.S. Navy. The 900-ton deckhouse provides an advanced structure that will house the ship's bridge, radars, antennae and intake/exhaust systems and is designed to provide a significantly smaller radar cross-section than any other ship in today's fleet. "This is a very unique structure for a very unique ship," said Kevin Amis, program director, DDG 1000 Program.

Keel-Laid for Navy's 10th LCS at Austal Yard

The Navy and Austal USA held a keel-laying ceremony for the future 'USS Gabrielle Giffords', the Navy's 10th littoral combat ship (LCS), in Mobile, Ala., informs the Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships. The ship's sponsor, Roxanna Green, was unable to attend the ceremony. The ship's namesake, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, authenticated the keel by having her initials welded into a sheet of the ship's hull. "It is a special day for all of us on the Gulf Coast to have the ship's namesake, Rep.

Ingalls-Built 'Somerset' (LPD 25) Passes Navy Acceptance Trials

Huntington Ingalls Industries announce that the amphibious transport dock 'Somerset' (LPD 25) has returned from successful U.S. Navy acceptance sea trials. The company's ninth ship in the San Antonio (LPD 17) class returned to the company's Avondale facility following three days of at-sea demonstrations and testing. The 684-foot-long vessel's primary mission is to transport up to 800 Marines, their fighting vehicles and aircraft. "We have now completed successful sea trials on nine LPDs…

Austal Delivers Warship LCS 4 'Coronado'

Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship 'Coronado' (LCS 4) was delivered by shipbuilders Austal to the Navy on September 27, 2013, after successfully completing Acceptance Trials. The delivery ceremony took place on Coronado’s flight deck and was attended by personnel from the LCS Squadron in San Diego, SUPSHIP Gulf Coast, Coronado Crew (both Blue and Gold), the Navy program office, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (the prime contractor), General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, and Austal.

Willard Marine Hires New East Coast Director

Willard Marine, Inc. announced Monday that David “Smokey” Glover will join its east coast Virginia Beach facility as Director of Operations. Glover’s career in the maritime industry dates back to 1974 when he completed a four-year apprenticeship as marine machinist for Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He went on to work as both a shipbuilder and operational manager with SUPSHIP Portsmouth and Bluewater Yacht Sales before dedicating 13 years to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Combatant Craft Division (NSWC CCD) as a Mechanical Engineer Technician.

Submarine 'Minnesota' Completes First Round of Sea Trials

'Minnesota' (SSN 783) being built at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, successfully completes 'Alpha' sea trials. All systems, components and compartments were tested during the trials. The submarine submerged for the first time and operated at high speeds on the surface and under water. Minnesota will undergo two more rounds of sea trials, including one with the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, before delivery later this month. Minnesota is anticipated to deliver approximately 11 months ahead of its contracted delivery date.

Ingalls-built LPD 24 Warship Completes Acceptance Trials

Amphibious transport dock 'Arlington' (LPD 24) built by Huntington Ingalls Industries successfully completes U.S. Navy acceptance sea trials. The company's eighth ship in the LPD 17 class returned to Pascagoula following three days of at-sea demonstrations and testing. While at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) observed more than 200 test events demonstrated on the ship by Ingalls' test and trials team. The team thoroughly tested ship systems such as anchor handling…

Austal Officially Opens Navy Administration Building

Navy to occupy new office space by the end of October. This morning over 30 distinguished guests joined Austal and the Navy in celebrating the official opening of the new Navy Administration Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The guests were welcomed by Austal USA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Craig Perciavalle. Other event participants included: Brian Leathers - Austal USA Interim President and CFO, Capt. Stephen W. Mitchell (USN) – Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast…

Galinis Commands NAVSEA's SUPSHIP Gulf Coast

Capt. William J. Galinis relieved Capt. Mary E. Dexter as commanding officer of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Conversion and Repair, Gulf Coast, Sept. 18 in a ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss. Retired Rear Adm. Mark Hugel gave the ceremony's keynote address. NAVSEA Commander, Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy spoke about how SUPSHIP Gulf Coast has made an invaluable impact on the Navy's ability to build the Fleet. "(Dexter) led this team of more than 350 military and civilian employees in providing the engineering, quality assurance, contract management, and financial services in partnership with industry to build our 21st century Navy," said McCoy.

SUPSHIP San Diego Completes Smart Ship and All Electric EDSRA for USS Mobile Bay (CG 53)

USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) recently completed an eight-month Extended Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego, California. The highlight of this availability was the successful installation of the SMART SHIP and All-Electric alterations. This is the first time that both of these actions have been performed simultaneously. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) San Diego, serving as the Naval Supervising Authority (NSA), provided oversight for this lengthy overhaul and headed up the extensive integrated team who managed all repairs and alterations. develop their modified manning levels. Numerous other jobs and alterations were also performed during the EDSRA.

Seven Shipbuilding R&D Projects get Greenlight

The Executive Control Board of the National Shipbuilding Research Program Advanced Shipbuilding Enterprise (NSRP ASE) selected seven new research projects as part of the Navy/Industry co-funded portfolio. The seven new projects, valued at approximately $20 million including industry cost share, were in response to the latest NSRP ASE solicitation released in February and continue the successful implementation of the Program’s Strategic Investment Plan. Common Parts Catalog (CPC) Implementation: This project will provide full scale testing…

Final Bob Hope-Class Sealift Ship Delivered

the U.S. decade of construction of the Bob Hope-class ships. Benavidez is the final ship of seven of these LMSR (large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off) vessels built by Ship Systems' Avondale Operations in New Orleans, La. The ship conducted successful sea trials this summer and recorded an excellent rating by the Navy. this ship," said Capt. aboard the vessel. managers, along with my SUPSHIP staff. delivering first-time quality. than 380,000 square feet of cargo capacity on six decks. vehicles and other cargo. operations at Avondale.

SUPSHIP, New Orleans Holds Change of Command Ceremony

CAPT John Robert Exell relieved CAPT David Joe Vogel at a Change of Command Ceremony for the Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP), New Orleans, Wednesday, 12 December 2001. RADM Charles Young, Vice Commander, NAVSEA, was the principal speaker. In his remarks, RADM Young reflected on CAPT Vogel’s service to NAVSEA. He applauded CAPT Vogel’s efforts, which he said had created a dynamic three-year resurgence in quality assurance by SUPSHIP personnel and forged a long sought after strategic partnership with SUPSHIP New Orleans' lead supplier—Northrop Grumman Avondale Industries.

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) in Production

The Navy’s newest amphibious ship, the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio is in production. USS San Antonio is the first ship of 12 amphibious ships that will support the Marine Corps’ landing forces and embarked Marines in forward presence operations throughout the world. Designed to fully support Marine Corps missions involving amphibious or expeditionary maneuver warfare, as well as special operations, the ship has a flight deck for aircraft and a well deck for landing craft or tracked amphibious vehicles. Each ship can carry 720 Marines, land them by Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles, or fly them to their objective areas in a variety of helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. At 684 in length, 105 ft.

SUPSHIP Complete Availability on Chosin

The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) returned to sea for sea trials June 26 to test and validate modifications and newly installed equipment. Her recently completed extended drydocking ship's restricted availability (EDSRA), valued at more than $25 million, was a 232-calendar day overhaul that included modifications to equipment involving every department aboard the ship. Battlegroup. subcontractors. weapons control system (ATWCS) upgrade and an electric galley modification. The hull girder modification, which enhances the ship's survivability during prolonged navigation under extreme weather and sea conditions, was the most extensive undertaking. the vicinity of the forward superstructure. elements while the contractor performed the modifications.

Bender Shipbuilding Awarded Contract on Navy Frigate

Congressman Sonny Callahan announced that Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. recently signed a contract for the drydocking and repair of the USS Stephan W. Groves (FFG 29). The Groves is an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate homeported in Pacagoula, Miss. The vessel’s overhaul is being managed by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair in Pascagoula for the Department of the Navy. The Groves will arrive at Bender on July 31 for a drydocking scheduled in early August and completion in mid-November. The work package includes drydocking, hull, machinery, electrical, electronics and piping repairs with a contract value of $8 million plus optional items which could result in an additional $1.5 million. The job will require 125 workers.