Hi everyone, it’s Kevin. Today is Tuesday, April 6th (day recorded). Yesterday we hosted Acting Secretary of the Navy Tom Harker who visited our Groton and Quonset Point facilities. Joining the Secretary were Admiral Goggins, the Program Executive Officer for Submarines, and Admiral Pappano, the PEO for the Columbia Program. Members of our federal delegation who took part included Senator Blumenthal, Senator Reed, Representative Joe Courtney and Representative Jim Himes.
Secretary Harker, who assumed his duties on January 20th of this year, is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. His career was marked by operational success including multi-ton drug seizures on the high seas. In fact, he told us a story about the Eagle, that’s anchored across the way from Electric Boat here in Groton. I didn’t know this, but apparently the Eagle was seized after World War II. It was a training ship for German submarine crews to train on how to operate the engine room. It was seized after the war and converted to a U.S. Coast Guard training ship.
During the tour of our operations in Groton, Secretary Harker was given a demonstration of ship control; he also toured the COATs facility, the Active Learning Centers in Building 260 and the South Yard Assembly Building construction site. At Quonset Point, the Secretary and congressional delegation toured the Virginia Module Outfitting Building, the Virginia Payload Module Annex and the Columbia Common Missile Compartment and Tube Outfitting Building. So it was a pretty packed afternoon.
It’s always a privilege to showcase the great work you do in the continued defense of our nation. He was impressed by your skill, dedication and our teamwork. Thank you for that.
On the COVID front, I am reminding everyone that Hartford HealthCare is offering an additional vaccination clinic for EB employees-only this coming Sunday, April 11th at Foxwoods—so it’s happening on a weekend and should be a little bit more convenient for everybody. Yesterday, our EB Wellness Team sent out an email with the details, and we’ll provide a link in this transcript. The clinic is available to employees only right now; spouses and dependent children are not yet eligible. In addition, there may still be spots available at the EB-only clinics taking place this Friday, April 9th at Foxwoods, the Oakdale Theater and the Xfinity Theater as people cancel or re-schedule.
We continue to request vaccines from Governor Lamont in Connecticut and Governor McKee in Rhode Island so we can vaccinate our employees quickly and efficiently at our onsite clinics. As the vaccine becomes more plentiful, we feel we could greatly accelerate vaccination of our employees if we could get doses to our onsite clinics. This also helps you from having to travel to get your vaccine. Thousands of you take advantage of our annual flu vaccination clinics, and we know we would have a good turnout if we were to offer the COVID vaccine here.
We will continue to request vaccines; in the meantime, I encourage all of you to get vaccinated when and where you can. Right now, it takes some patience and persistence to get an appointment since vaccine eligibility has opened up to larger groups in both states this week. If you have been vaccinated, please let our EB Medical Team know via the link on the Coronavirus page on Homeport or the banner link at the top of the EB Landing home page. This information is helping us determine how the EB team is progressing with the vaccine and will allow us to gauge how many vaccines to request from Connecticut and Rhode Island in the event we do get the opportunity to administer our own.
Thanks everyone; we’ll talk again soon.
Safety Update: Installation of Speed Tables on Eastern Point Road
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
EB firefighters recognized for life-saving rescues
Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025. Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026...Continue reading→
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→
