Hi everyone, it’s Kevin. It’s Thursday, June 3rd (date recorded).
This morning, USS Hartford arrived at the shipyard for its Engineering Overhaul (EOH). The contract to overhaul the Hartford was awarded to EB last August. During negotiations, the contracting team and the Navy determined that a preparatory approach to this overhaul known as a ‘Smart Start’ would help EB make pre-availability preparations that would help us deliver the boat back to the fleet as soon as possible.
The EOH work is scheduled to start in February of next year. Between now and then, the boat will be dry docked here in Groton, and pre-overhaul work, including inspections, testing and system teardowns will be performed to enable a strong, on-time start next year. The Department of Defense will officially announce the award of the ‘Smart Start’ later this week—we expect tomorrow.
Overhaul and repair work is vitally important to EB. It allows us to manage ebbs and flows in the workload here in Groton associated with the Virginia and Columbia programs, and enables our workforce to maintain proficiency in crucial skills—particularly RADCON, as it applies to boats of the fleet. A Smart Start on the Hartford is the right approach to maintain and modernize the ship and get it back to the fleet. I’d like to commend the team, led by Jim Belz, for ensuring this contract negotiation was successfully completed. Great job, guys.
The Hartford is now docked at the North Wing Wall. If you look at the Groton Waterfront, you’ll note that for the first time in several years, both graving docks and wing walls are occupied. The Hartford joins the South Dakota and Delaware, both here for their PSAs, and the Vermont, undergoing some emergent work prior to sea trails. In a word, we are full at the south-end of the yard.
Our landscapes at both locations in Groton and Quonset have undergone significant changes, and the Facilities team has reached milestones worth noting in the past several weeks.
In Groton:
- The concrete structural deck on the South Yard Assembly Building was completed last Thursday, May 27th. We’ve received our first deliveries of steel beams, trusses and roof decks, and erection of the structure began on Wednesday. From my office, up here on the 10th floor of Building 88, you can see the first pieces of structure peeking out over the south yard ways already.
- In the middle of this month, we’ll break ground on Building 604 in Groton, which will house EB’s Radiological Emergency Response Team, locally-based Naval Reactors personnel, and the Emergency Command Center. That building is scheduled to be complete in late 2022.
And in Quonset Point:
- We completed the 78,000 square-foot Columbia frame and cylinder building, known as AFC II, ahead of schedule earlier this month. We’re in the process of installing the APCO fixtures in the building now.
- The new heavy lift pad on the Quonset waterfront is complete – this is where we will turn units from vertical to horizontal at Quonset Point – and we are erecting the first of two cranes. This pad and cranes will enable transport of Columbia modules to the new barge for transport to Groton. Construction of the pier has also commenced and we expect this job to be done by the end of the year.
- We are also on track to complete facility improvements to the Quonset Point pipe packaging facility by the end of July.
The busy waterfront and rapidly-expanding facilities are visible evidence of our historic backlog. It remains critical for all of us to remain focused on our personal contributions to meeting our collective goals: safety first, without question—quality, schedule, cost and continuous improvement, in that order.
Thanks for listening, everyone. We’ll talk again soon.
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→
Electric Boat featured in ADC’s ‘Homefront’ Video Series
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of the Association of Defense Communities’ (ADC) Homefront video series, which examines military communities across the country. The episode highlights Electric Boat’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, the generations of shipbuilders who power our mission and the opportunities ahead for the next wave of...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 19: Operations Leadership Hiring Initiative
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Chief of Talent Acquisition Meredith Kyle on the ways the company is boosting operations leadership hiring. Joining them is Konrad Wennberg and Mike Simmons, who provide insight on their internal moves from engineering to operations supervisor positions.
