On January 30, I led an EB team who met with Naval Reactors (NR) to discuss the progress we’ve made on improving our discipline to standards in the execution of work. As you recall, following the NAVSEA Audit A-finding of last June, EB’s Core Values Project Team gathered feedback from a cross-section of employees to better understand the causes of our declining discipline to performance standards. The team worked with senior leadership to develop and articulate our Core Values: Value Each Other, Behave with Integrity and Purpose and Commit to Excellence. The team next identified six lines of effort – safety, operational excellence, risk assessment/critical thinking, facilities, workforce engagement and development and continuous learning – to put our values into action, guiding our behaviors and improving our performance.
The employees who traveled with me to NR represented a cross-section of our company, demonstrating that we are aligned from senior leadership through to our Operations supervisors and, more importantly, that our actions in the above six areas are having a positive effect. Our goal was to have an open and honest discussion, and we accomplished that. Overall, the meeting was positive. While we shared some of our successes with NR, we also shared our challenges and areas of focus.
Two areas I personally highlighted were our efforts on Safety and Operational Excellence. We are making progress in safety training and earlier this month began OSHA 30-hour training for all members of the Operations Management team. We also described our efforts to establish a peer-to-peer approach to safety across the entire EB team. Our efforts to increase work order attainment and changes put in place – such as our new Operations Work List (OWL) tool – give our production supervisors less of an administrative burden and more time to work with their crews.
While NR acknowledged our progress, they highlighted three areas where we need to do more: document and learn more from “near misses” related to safety, continue to solve issues related to radiography testing safety, and further apply the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program Principles, aka the “Rickover Principles,” as our foundation for achieving discipline to standards across our workforce. While we have much more work to do, I was proud to represent all of you at NR and to show how we are working to get better every day.
Last month, I provided you with an update on SSN 792 PCU Vermont’s certification status and discussed how we all contribute to the certification of a ship. As of today, the 792 will be certified in the coming days, with fast cruise to follow and sea trials commencing soon after. This has been a difficult process for EB and NNS. We are spending considerable effort investigating our certification process and have self-reported several issues that we must improve on. Our certification process discipline and the formality we use to document any issues associated with the construction of the ship must be right every time. While none of the issues we uncovered impact the ability of the ship to safely conduct at-sea operations, we must all carry with us the importance of formally reporting any issues.
Overall, I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making as a team. With our Core Values guiding us, we will safely deliver the world’s most sophisticated ships to our Navy and continue our storied legacy well into this century.
Kevin Graney
The Barnacle: Parking Enforcement That Sticks
Meet the Barnacle, Electric Boat’s newest parking-enforcement tool that will begin deployment in the Groton shipyard starting Monday, June 15. As our enterprise continues to grow, we are dedicated to ensuring parking is safe, fair and accessible to all. The Barnacle is an immobilizing parking-enforcement device that attaches directly to a vehicle’s windshield using heavy-duty,...Continue reading→
Honoring the U.S. Army Birthday
June 14th marks the 251st Birthday of the United States Army, a moment to honor the enduring legacy, bravery, and sacrifice of those who have worn the Army uniform since 1775. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military, the Army has played a vital role in shaping our nation’s history and safeguarding its freedoms....Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 20: 2026 EB Signing Days
Electric Boat held recent Signing Day ceremonies at Cranston West High School on May 21 and the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 28. EB President Mark Rayha spoke with students about their decision to join EB and educators who prepare their students for careers in shipbuilding. Click here to see the latest installment of the Rayha...Continue reading→
Save the Date: CT Health Fairs Kick Off June 9
A Message From Dan Vieira and Kathleen Heller At EB, Safety and Wellness go far beyond meeting basic compliance standards. Our focus is on building a culture where employees can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing wellbeing is vital to being our best on the job and at home with our families. ...Continue reading→
Supporting Our Neighbors Impacted by The Ledges Apartments Fire
Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire occurred at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. Eighteen fire departments, including Electric Boat’s, responded. Thanks to the heroism of these first responders no residents were injured. The fire did, however, displace more than approximately 50 residents and destroyed or damaged 44 units in the building. Several EB employees were...Continue reading→
Pride Month Celebrations at Electric Boat
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month, a time for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world to come together in celebration and reflection. From film festivals and art shows, to marches and concerts, Pride is a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ culture, history and the relentless spirit of activism. It’s a chance...Continue reading→
Celebrating Our Next Generation of Shipbuilders
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
Update: Gold Star Bridge Project – Upcoming Traffic Impacts
CT DOT is preparing to enter the next major phase of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and employees should expect new traffic patterns that may affect travel to and from EB’s Groton and New London facilities. A crossover will direct two northbound lanes onto the southbound bridge, as shown in this CT DOT...Continue reading→
PCU Utah Floats Off
PCU Utah (SSN 801) floated off the pontoon in Graving Dock #3 on Sunday, May 17, her hull seeing water for the first time. Huge congratulations to every Electric Boat shipbuilder whose hard work and dedication brought Utah to this major milestone!
Pathways to the Deep Officially Opens at Mystic Aquarium
On Monday, May 11th, we officially cut the ribbon on Pathways to the Deep, a brand-new interactive exhibit at Mystic Aquarium that connects ocean science, technology, exploration and careers through hands-on learning and discovery. This collaborative effort between General Dynamics Electric Boat, Mystic Aquarium, the Submarine Industrial Base and Build Submarines was created to spark curiosity and...Continue reading→
