This year’s holiday season looks and feels different than ever before. While the holidays are typically stressful for many, COVID-19 has brought with it added pressure and worry that affects us all.
This year we saw family get-togethers and vacations cancelled, and social distancing become the new normal. We saw schools switch to virtual or part-time learning, causing added stress for parents and students as they had to adopt new and unfamiliar routines. We also saw businesses struggle or close, resulting in financial struggles for families throughout our community and nation. For many, having funds to purchase gifts for loved ones or to prepare a holiday meal this year will be difficult, if not impossible.
Despite all of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, we also saw people coming together to help others during this difficult time, raising money through fundraisers or donating to local food banks and shelters. There’s no doubt that there is a greater need than ever before to support one another and offer a helping hand to those who are struggling. With this in mind, the Electric Boat Fire Department rallied together this year, raising money to “adopt” families in need this holiday season.
This Adopt-A-Family effort was headed by EB Firefighters Doug Harreys and Stuart Coleman, who made it their mission to ensure families in our surrounding community experience cheer this holiday season. Over the course of two weeks, the EB Fire Department raised $4,500 by selling t-shirts on the EB Forum, social media and through word of mouth. With the money raised, they will adopt both EB families and families in the area, purchasing gifts and providing them with a meal they can cook and enjoy together. The money raised by the Fire Department is enough to adopt seven families for the holidays. Starting today, December 15, the gifts and meals will start being delivered to the families, ensuring all are delivered by December 22.
The EB Fire Department has demonstrated that we can create our own holiday spirit by understanding and relating to the struggles our fellow community members are facing, and bringing some hope to those most in need. Caring, celebrating and being there for others is one holiday tradition that COVID cannot take from us. Thank you to Doug Harreys, Stuart Coleman and the entire EB Fire Department for your efforts to bring comfort to those in need this holiday season.
803 Section 2B/5 Transported from Quonset Point to Groton
PCU Arizona’s (SSGN 803) Section 2B/5 was successfully delivered to Groton from Quonset Point. At 184 feet in length, this section – which includes the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) – is the largest Virginia-class shipment ever transported. Arizona, the first submarine to incorporate VPM, will be about 460 feet long upon final construction. Section 2B/5...Continue reading→
Remembering September 11
On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers of downtown Manhattan’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks that would leave an everlasting imprint on our country’s psyche. As the events unfolded on that Tuesday morning, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, over 600 were injured...Continue reading→
EBECSA Celebrates 75 Years — Nominate EB Employees Past and Present for Recognition
This year, the Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association (EBECSA) proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary. EBECSA was founded in 1951 by EB employees who wanted to create a dedicated, organized way to support nonprofit health and human service agencies in the communities where we live and work. What began as a small employee‑driven effort has...Continue reading→
Atlas Plaque Unveiled, Honoring Plank Owners at South Yard Ceremony
Employees who have worked on Atlas, EB’s new state-of-the-art floating dry dock, gathered in the South Yard on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to unveil a new bronze plaque recognizing the contributions of its plank owners. The event celebrated the teams who helped bring Atlas from Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana to its arrival in Groton earlier this year. Atlas will play...Continue reading→
Neighbors Meet with EB to Discuss Noise, Lighting and Other Quality of Life Topics
Nearly twenty neighbors of Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard joined company leaders Aug. 25 for a community conversation focused on their quality‑of‑life concerns related to the South Yard Assembly Building (SYAB) and Atlas, the new floating dry dock. The Mayor of the City of Groton, Jill Rusk, also attended. Residents said they appreciated the chance to talk...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 26: Waterford Campus Groundbreaking
EB President Mark Rayha reports from the groundbreaking of the new Waterford Campus, where innovation, engineering and workforce development will come together to support our mission. The new facility will help train hundreds of shipbuilders daily as EB continues to grow for future production demands.
Waterford Campus Groundbreaking Marks EB’s Next Step in Innovation and Workforce Growth
Electric Boat officially broke ground Friday on the Waterford Campus, launching the transformation of the former Crystal Mall into a center for innovation, engineering and high‑tech workforce development. EB President Mark Rayha underscored how the project will reshape the way the company designs, tests and builds submarines. Innovation is the key, he said. “There’s an opportunity to...Continue reading→
Powering HeartStrong 50: Thank You, EB Teams—Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
Thank you to our incredible EB Heart Walk teams, our community partners, and everyone who joined the American Heart Association (AHA) Torch Journey photoshoot. Your enthusiasm and dedication made this milestone truly special. Now let’s keep our HeartStrong 50 energy going—our goal is 50 teams and $50,000 raised for the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3 at UConn Avery...Continue reading→
Speed Cameras to be Installed in the City of Groton
The City of Groton Police Department announced that automated speed enforcement cameras will be installed at several locations throughout the city. The cameras will be installed after the required 30-day public notification period, which began on Aug. 7, 2026. Camera locations: Mitchell Street Thames Street Clarence B. Sharp Highway (Route 349) Police said the purpose...Continue reading→
MDA Apprenticeship Application Now Open
Application Window: August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 The MDA Apprenticeship Program is a four-year initiative designed to develop a highly skilled workforce for Electric Boat. This program provides three years of on‑the‑job training alongside qualified subject matter experts, combined with classroom instruction across various technical disciplines. Participants gain advanced skills, broaden their expertise, and...Continue reading→
