WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced June 14 the release of a new report finding that the Nation’s private shipyards support $42.4 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). 

MARAD’s new report — The Economic Importance of the U.S. Private Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry — measures the economic importance of the shipbuilding and repairing industry at the national and State levels for calendar year 2019.  

“Shipyards create good jobs and support economic growth —  not just in the areas surrounding our ports and waterways, but across the nation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  

In 2019, the nation’s 154 private shipyards directly provided more than 107,000 jobs and contributed $9.9 billion in labor income to the national economy. On a nationwide basis — including direct, indirect, and induced impacts — the industry supported 393,390 jobs, $28.1 billion of labor income, and $42.4 billion in GDP.   

The Biden administration recognizes the economic importance of the maritime industry and has proposed $17 billion in inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries as part of the American Jobs Plan. These investments would make our infrastructure more resilient while improving efficiency and creating new capacity to enhance freight movement in the United States.   

Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation has provided nearly $262.5 million in grant funding through its small shipyard grant program to nearly 300 shipyards in 32 states and territories to improve infrastructure at U.S. shipyards.    

“The report issued by MARAD confirms that shipyards are vital economic engines in addition to being essential components of our industrial base,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. “The skilled jobs created by shipyards are not only essential to supporting our military and our commerce, they are contributing to the economic success of communities all over the United States.”  

The report states the U.S. shipbuilding industry has run a trade surplus in six out of the last 10 years, with a cumulative trade surplus of $7.3 billion over this period. From 2015 to 2020, U.S. shipbuilders delivered 5,024 vessels of all types including tugs and towboats, passenger vessels, commercial and fishing vessels, and oceangoing and inland barges, reaching 608 vessels in 2020. More than 60 percent of vessels delivered during the last six years have been inland tank and dry cargo barges.   

There are currently 154 private shipyards in the United States, spread across 29 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that are classified as active shipbuilders. In addition, there are more than 300 shipyards engaged in ship repairs or capable of building ships but not actively engaged in shipbuilding. Although the majority of shipyards are located in the coastal states, active shipyards are also located on major inland waterways such as the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Ohio River.   

The final report, The Economic Importance of the U.S. Private Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry, can be found at: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/sites/marad.dot.gov/files/2021-06/Economic%20Contributions%20of%20U.S.%20Shipbuilding%20and%20Repairing%20Industry.pdf 

NORFOLK, Va. — Continuing the Navy’s strategic realignment of ships, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) has arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, making Norfolk its new homeport June 10, 2021, the Navy said in a release. 

Due to excess port loading in Mayport, Florida, the ship, its crew and families moved from there to support their upcoming Selected Restricted Availability in a Norfolk-area shipyard. Its departure marks the first time in more than 50 years that a cruiser will not be homeported there. 

“Philippine Sea has been part of Mayport’s proud tradition of maritime professionalism and warfighting excellence for over three decades,” said Capt. Kevin Hoffman, Philippine Sea commanding officer. “On behalf of all the ‘War Dog’ crews and families, past and present, I would like to extend my personal thanks to the entire Naval Station Mayport and City of Jacksonville communities for the amazing support over the years. It has truly been an honor to call Mayport home. “We take an incredible spirit of teamwork and sense of family with us as we look forward to making our new home in Virginia and joining the Norfolk waterfront.” 
 
Homeport shifts are part of the Navy’s continued commitment to the strategic dispersal of ships. This move contributes to the vitality of two East Coast homeports for surface ships and the preservation of the Mayport region’s ship repair facilities. This plan will support extended maintenance availabilities at local shipyards in both fleet concentration areas and rebalance port loading. 
 
The move comes just a couple months after returning from a nearly 10-month independent deployment. The Philippine Sea crew participated in numerous exercises, traveled nearly 6,000 nautical miles and successfully completed 18 transits of the Strait of Hormuz, many while escorting partner military vessels and commercial shipping. 
 
Named for the WW II battle of the same name, remembered as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot,” or the “Greatest Carrier Battle of the War,” as more than 80% of the engaged enemy there were eliminated. 

WASHINGTON — The Naval Sea Systems Command has issued the following statement regarding a cost increase regarding the Ship-to-Shore Connector Program, designed to replace the Navy’s legacy fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC). Textron Systems is the designer and builder of the new craft: 

“On March 26, the U.S. Navy notified Congress of an increase in the Program Acquisition Unit Cost and the Average Procurement Unit Cost for the Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) program that exceeds the current baseline estimate, breaching the significant Nunn-McCurdy cost threshold. The breach is attributed to first in class challenges that led to increased construction costs resulting from labor and material cost growth and schedule related issues on early craft. This is not a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach that would require recertification of the program and USD A&S has been notified. The SSC program production is now stable as the first in class challenges have been resolved.  

“Textron has delivered three craft and follow-on craft are in serial production. The delivery of LCACs 100 and 101 have allowed the Navy to move forward with the initial operator training pipeline and move into post-delivery test and trials at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division.  

“LCAC 102 was delivered on June 3, 2021, and transited to Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, arriving June 9. 

“LCACs 103-115 currently in production, show reduced overall man hours and expedited outfitting in earlier stages of construction for improved cost and schedule performance.  

‘The updated acquisition program baseline is based on procuring 72 operational craft and actual serial production cost experience of the shipbuilder and its vendors.”   

LOCKPORT, La. — Bollinger Shipyards, a privately held designer and builder of steel military and commercial vessels, submitted on June 11 its proposal to the United States Coast Guard to build Stage 2 of the Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, the company said in a release.

If chosen, Bollinger would construct and deliver a total of 11 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard over the next decade, helping sustain the Bollinger workforce through 2031. The initial OPCs are being built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, although the program suffered a setback when Eastern’s Florida shipyard was damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

“Bollinger is the right shipyard at the right time to build the Offshore Patrol Cutter program for the U.S. Coast Guard.” said Ben Bordelon, Bollinger president and CEO. “Our long history building for the Coast Guard is unparalleled and has shown time and time again that Bollinger can successfully deliver the highest quality vessels on an aggressive production schedule.” 

Bollinger has been actively involved in every step of the U.S. Coast Guard’s OPC acquisition process, including execution of the Stage 1 Preliminary and Contract Design, where the company was included in the final three shipyards, as well as execution of the OPC Stage 2 industry study. This unique experience ensures Bollinger’s understanding of every detail and aspect of the program. 

Bordelon continued, “Bollinger has the existing capability and capacity using our proven serial production build strategy and an experienced management team and workforce. Our production approach is based on our established and mature processes and tools, which integrate design development, production, and lifecycle considerations. Our unique experience results in a reliable production schedule and cost so that we can deliver high-quality vessels on time and on budget.” 

Notably, in its current program for the U.S. Coast Guard, Bollinger has delivered Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter hulls 1139 through 1144 a total of 127 days ahead of the contract schedule, despite the incredible challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic and a historic hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico impacting Louisiana’s coast. 

Bollinger has a long history building for the U.S. Coast Guard, delivering 170 vessels in the last three decades alone. This includes the Island Class (49 delivered), the Marine Protector Class (77 delivered), and now the Sentinel Class (44 of 64 delivered to date). 

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard crews recently continued their efforts to document the historic shipwreck of the Coast Guard Cutter McCulloch June 3, after the service’s partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel recently resulted in the ship being added to the National Register of Historic Places, the Coast Guard 11th District said in a June 13 release.  

The Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin crew transported members of Regional Dive Locker West and Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles/Long Beach to the wreckage site where remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) were deployed to depths greater than 200 feet.  

Despite the challenging offshore conditions, Coast Guard ROV operators were able to survey the sunken cutter and surrounding area. These dive operations honor the Coast Guard’s heritage and provide valuable training opportunities to enhance mission readiness. 

The Coast Guard Cutter McCulloch, located near Point Conception, was lost in a collision with the passenger steamship SS Governor on June 13, 1917 and remains within waters of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.  

Scott Price and Daniel Koski-Karell, Coast Guard historians, and Robert Schwemmer, a NOAA maritime archaeologist and chief scientist for the mission that led to the McCulloch’s discovery, worked together to draft and submit the National Register of Historic Places nomination.  

“McCulloch had a remarkable career as both a U.S. Revenue Cutter Service vessel and U.S. Coast Guard cutter,” said Koski-Karell. “Its participation in the Spanish-American War’s 1898 Battle of Manila Bay victory is memorialized by the trophy cannon the McCulloch brought to the U.S. that stands today in front of the Coast Guard Academy’s Hamilton Hall.”  

The McCulloch shipwreck was officially listed in the federal government’s National Register of Historic Places on April 22, meeting the criteria to be considered a site of “national significance.” 

“The listing to the National Register of Historic Places, as well as California’s Register of Historical Resources, demonstrates the spirit of cooperation between NOAA and the Coast Guard, enhances public awareness of McCulloch’s important role in America’s history, while honoring its crew,” said Schwemmer, the West Coast regional maritime heritage coordinator for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. 

In October 2016, a joint NOAA and Coast Guard training mission confirmed the location of the McCulloch’s final resting place. Working off the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary’s research vessel Shearwater, the multi-agency science team from NOAA, National Park Service, and Coast Guard Dive Lockers Alameda and San Diego, deployed a ROV to survey and characterize the shipwreck while Eleventh Coast Guard District cutters Halibut and Blacktip provided vessel support. 

“I’m pleased we are making progress to preserve this piece of U.S. and Coast Guard history, as well as honoring the service member lost because of this tragedy,” said Rear Adm. Brian Penoyer, the 11th Coast Guard District commander. “I look forward to our continued partnership with NOAA, because without these relationships and incredible teamwork, discoveries such as these would not be uncovered.”  

Listing the shipwreck site on the National Register of Historic Places provides a wealth of public research information and could unlock incentives to help preserve the shipwreck, including federal tax and grant benefits and easements.   

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) returned to their homeport Friday following a combined 105-day deployment to Alaska and their biannual shipboard training off the coast of San Diego, the Coast Guard Pacific Area said in a June 11 release. 

Stratton’s crew, along with an embarked MH-65 helicopter aircrew from Air Station Kodiak, patrolled the Bering Sea up to the Arctic’s ice edge. While deployed, they conducted two search and rescue missions preserving lives and protecting property from peril in the Bering Sea. 

The crews, aided with the support of the ship’s unmanned aircraft system, patrolled the region safeguarding Alaska’s multi-billion-dollar fishing industry by conducting 15 fisheries law enforcement boardings, ensuring compliance with maritime laws and regulations, and protecting the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone by patrolling the maritime boundary line to prevent the illegal harvesting of U.S. fish stocks. 

In addition to conducting multiple operations while deployed, the crew of the Stratton also collected vital information that will help the Coast Guard shape future deployments, uphold U.S. sovereignty and exercise leadership through effective presence in the Arctic. 

Following their Alaskan patrol, Stratton hosted a change of command ceremony while anchored in the San Francisco Bay. Capt. Stephen Adler relieved Capt. Bob Little as Stratton’s commanding officer during the at-sea ceremony. 

Before returning home, Stratton completed a biannual shipboard training cycle off the coast of San Diego. Over the course of 17 training days, Stratton’s crew demonstrated their knowledge and skills by completing nearly 200 drills in the areas of damage control, navigation, seamanship, naval warfare, communications, medical response, engineering casualties, and force protection. The crew’s efforts resulted in an average drill score of 97%, demonstrating excellence in all warfare areas. 

“I’m extremely proud of this crew and all they have accomplished,” said Adler. “There is a new wave of capabilities designed to match the growing importance of U.S. presence in the Arctic. The crew pressed into this growing mission space with incredible resolve. Harsh Arctic conditions and the ongoing global pandemic regularly tested our mettle, but this crew delivered.”  

Stratton’s crew also relieved the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro (WHEC 724), the Coast Guard’s last 378-foot high endurance cutter, as they made their final patrol prior to being decommissioned April 24, 2021. 

The Stratton is one of four 418-foot national security cutters homeported in Alameda. National security cutters are capable of extended, worldwide deployment in support of homeland security and defense missions and routinely conduct operations from South America to the Arctic. National security cutter’s combination of range, speed, and ability to operate in extreme weather provides the mission flexibility necessary to conduct vital strategic missions across the globe. 

PHILADELPHIA — The first operational TH-73A helicopter was presented to the U.S. Navy June 10 during a ceremony at the AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. (Leonardo) plant in Philadelphia, the Naval Air Systems Command announced in a release. 

“The TH-73A will be instrumental in providing higher fidelity training to our future rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aviators for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard,” said Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, commander, Naval Air Forces. “The cutting-edge technology and advanced avionics within the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) will enable a more seamless transition from the training aircraft to fleet aircraft, this in turn allows more focus on high end warfighting development and training.” 

Eventually, the Navy will have 130 TH-73A helicopters total, with deliveries continuing through 2024. The new helicopters will meet the capability and capacity gaps of the aging TH-57 Sea Ranger training platform. 

The TH-73As are fully Federal Aviation Administration certified prior to delivery, thus bringing a ready-made solution that will transition the TH-57 platforms out of service by 2025. The TH-57 is scheduled to begin sundown in fiscal year 2022. 

“This delivery signifies a new era for Naval Aviation training,” said Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff, chief of Naval Aviation Training. “By using current cockpit technologies and a new training curriculum, the TH-73A will improve pilot training and skills and ensure rotary wing aviators are produced more efficiently at a higher quality and are ready to meet the fleet’s challenges.” 

In addition to new helicopters, the full AHTS includes aircrew training services that provide availability on new simulators, a modernized curriculum and a new contractor logistics support contract for the maintenance and flight line support requirements of the new helicopter. 

Using the first TH-73A, the team will train the cadre of instructor pilots and validate the modernized curriculum efforts, a requirement prior to training Student Naval Aviators with the new curriculum in the new system. The helicopters will ensure the Navy has capacity to train several hundred aviation students per year for Chief of Naval Aviation Training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. 

The AHTS accounts for the training needs of all of the Fleet Replacement Squadrons, thus students will be highly trained and fully capable of succeeding, regardless of which platform they select. 

“The combined government and contractor team set new standards to meet much needed requirements in the fleet,” said Capt. Holly Shoger, Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program (PMA-273) program manager. “We are proud to develop and provide these new capabilities that will improve pilot training for many years to come.” 

The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, following final DoD inspections. A total of 32 TH-73As are scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy this calendar year and 130 total over the contract period. The new TH-73As will be housed in a temporary hangar at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, with construction to begin in 2023 on a new helicopter maintenance hangar. 

The PMA-273 at Naval Air Systems Patuxent River, Maryland, oversees the AHTS and TH-73A. 

BALTIMORE — Northrop Grumman Corp. has delivered the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 Engineering and Development Model (EDM) to the U.S. Navy for land-based testing, the company said in a June 11 release. The official transfer was marked at an event with company and Navy program officials at Northrop Grumman’s systems integration facility in Baltimore, Maryland. 

“The AN/SLQ-32(V)7 EDM delivery to the U.S. Navy for continued government land-based testing following formal qualification testing is a significant achievement for the SEWIP Block 3 program,” said Capt. Jason Hall, the Navy’s Major Program Manager of Above Water Sensors and Lasers. “SEWIP Block 3 provides a critical electronic warfare capability to the Fleet to pace the evolving anti-ship missile threat.” 

Northrop Grumman successfully completed SEWIP Block 3 system integration and formal qualification testing as part of the engineering, manufacturing and development contract. This milestone indicates that the system is ready to transition to the U.S. Navy for formal land-based testing at the Naval Sea Systems Command Surface Combat Systems Center in Wallops Island, Virginia. 

“This delivery represents the next step in a multi-year effort to take SEWIP from the laboratory to the hands of the warfighter,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman. “Providing the comprehensive hardware-defined, software-enabled system to the Navy proves out the final design and signifies the end of the engineering, manufacturing and development phase.” 

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo’s crew repatriated 82 Cubans to Cuba, Tuesday, following eight interdictions south of the Florida Keys, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a June 8 release. 

A Station Islamorada law enforcement team launched at approximately 11 a.m., May 30, after a good Samaritan reported seeing three people on a blue, 16-foot vessel. All three were transferred to the station’s boat and reported in good health. One person was brought to shore for additional screening. 

A Coast Guard Cutter Valiant law enforcement team launched at approximately 3:30 a.m., June 3, and interdicted a blue, 20-foot vessel with 31 people aboard. They were transferred to the cutter and reported in good health.  

A Station Marathon law enforcement team launched at approximately 1:30 p.m., June 3, after a good Samaritan reported seeing a yellow and white 14-foot vessel with three people aboard. All three were transferred to the station’s boat and reported in good health. 

A Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore law enforcement team launched at approximately 4:30 a.m., June 4, and interdicted a vessel with seven people aboard. The people were transferred to the cutter and reported in good health. 

A Coast Guard Cutter Valiant law enforcement team launched at approximately 6:30 a.m., June 4, and interdicted a vessel with 23 people aboard that was taking on water. The people were transferred to the cutter and reported in good health. One person was brought to shore for further investigation. 

A Coast Guard Cutter Valiant law enforcement team launched at approximately 9:30 a.m., June 4, and interdicted a vessel with 10 people aboard. They were transferred to the cutter and reported in good health. 

At approximately the same time June 4, a Station Key West law enforcement team launched for a 15-foot vessel with four people aboard. They were transferred to the station’s boat and reported in good health. 

A Station Marathon law enforcement team launched at approximately 1:30 p.m., June 4, after a good Samaritan reported seeing a white and brown vessel with three people aboard. All three were transferred to the station’s boat and reported in good health. 

“The repatriation of these migrants highlight the unity of effort required with many of our key partners as we work together to intercept these unsafe migration attempts into the United States,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Neiman, Coast Guard Seventh District public affairs officer. “These voyages are often on very unseaworthy vessels and the dangers of these trips can be deadly.” 

Since Oct. 1, 2020, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 399 Cubans compared to: 

5,396 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2016 
1,468 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2017 
259 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2018 
313 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2019 
49 Cuban migrants in Fiscal Year 2020 

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. Throughout the interdiction, Coast Guard crew members were equipped with personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to any possible case of COVID-19. 

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Legend-class national security USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) and crew returned to Charleston, South Carolina, June 4, following a historic 97-day deployment to Europe working with U.S. Navy 6th Fleet, allies and partners, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release. 

“By operating with 6th Fleet, we expand the Coast Guard’s global reach and advance our Nation’s Tri-Service Maritime Strategy,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of USCGC Hamilton. “This deployment also reinforced our commitment to freedom of navigation in international waters while building capacity and partnerships with nations that have shared interests and threats in the maritime domain.” 

After departing North Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 28, the crew of Hamilton stopped in Puerto Rico and then headed toward Rota, Spain, with two Sentinel-class fast response cutters, USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) in the trans-Atlantic leg of the fast response cutters’ 9,000-mile voyage to homeport in Bahrain and service at Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. 

After escorting the cutters and departing Spain, Hamilton then visited Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, and Malta. The crew conducted various operational exercises with the maritime components of each country and forces from Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria. 

“The U.S. Coast Guard’s bilateral engagements with partner services play a critical role in our overall diplomatic engagement with those states,” said Philip T. Reeker, acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State. “They complement our on-shore diplomacy in building enduring partnerships that focus on joint approaches to common problems. They also reinforce our global effort to uphold the rules-based international order.” 

Hamilton entered the Mediterranean Sea April 15 and the Black Sea April 27 to support NATO Allies and partners. Hamilton was the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter in the Black Sea was USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), which sailed to the Black Sea twice, once in 2008 and 1995. 

Since leaving the Black Sea on May 14, Hamilton’s crew visited Valletta, Malta, and conducted engagements at sea with the armed forces of Malta. They also made a brief logistics stop in Rota, Spain, on May 23. Hamilton transited out of the Mediterranean Sea, concluding the crew’s recent operations in 6th Fleet’s area of responsibility, May 24. 

“The relationships we build are fundamental for establishing maritime safety and security worldwide,” said Lt. Cmdr. Taylor Kellogg, operations officer of USCGC Hamilton. “Working together with our NATO allies and partners, we advance the rule of law on the sea, ensuring free and open access to the maritime domain.” 

The U.S. Coast Guard, as demonstrated by this deployment, is a welcome presence and critical contributor to maintaining maritime safety, security, and stability in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Hard-earned and long-lasting partnerships in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean give the Coast Guard unique access to vital partners. These efforts build unique partnerships thanks to a broad suite of specialized maritime capabilities, competencies, and authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard multi-mission mandate as a law enforcement agency, a regulatory agency, and a military branch makes the Service’s comparative advantage unique and unparalleled. 

“All nations benefit from free and open access to the maritime domain,” said Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, commander U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. “We seek to foster a united, global effort to safeguard this access. Allies and partners are integral to protecting our shared interests, preserving our competitive multilateral advantage, and upholding the rules-based international order. Hamilton’s tremendous efforts strengthen our alliances and partnerships by developing interchangeable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building measures. Together we defend sovereignty from malign influence and coercion.”