After its long service life, on February 20, Electric Boat’s Graving Dock 3 (GD3) pontoon left Electric Boat and traveled up the Thames River to its new home at Mohawk Northeast, Inc. in Groton. In 1978, the pontoon was certified for launching Ohio-class submarines. The pontoon is a 550’ x 105’ steel box weighing 5,000 long tons that was raised and lowered within GD3. When raised, a submarine can be rolled onto the pontoon deck and lowered into GD3 in preparation for float-off.
Since its certification, EB’s pontoon launched 18 Ohio, three Seawolf and 14 Virginia-class submarines. One Los Angeles-class boat, Jacksonville (SSN 699), was launched using the pontoon as a test prior to the launch of SSBN/GN 726, Ohio. In addition, several boats undergoing maintenance and modernization were dry-docked in GD3 including USS Virginia (SSN 774) and NR-1, which were dry-docked in GD3 simultaneously in May of 2007; USS Dallas (SSN 700), which was dry-docked in GD3 March 2007 and USS Memphis (SSN 691), which was dry-docked in GD3 in January 2007.
After SSN 799, Idaho, left GD3 in December 2024, the pontoon was de-certified and preparations began to ready its removal.
“This pontoon outhaul was truly a team sport,” said Pete DiNapoli, senior manager of Ships Management. “This required support from Docking Operations, Facilities, Engineering, Naval Architects, Program Office, Operations, Risk Assessment Engineering, Planning, Safety, Environmental, EBFD, Transportation, Optical Tooling, EB Security, Temporary Services, Tug Operators, Mohawk Northeast and Ships Management, demonstrating unity of effort across Electric Boat.”
At a high level, the outhaul work included removing the pontoon’s bearings, making it watertight, which took the most time and effort, and adding bumpers on the dock and the pontoon to move it safely within GD3 as the team was working with inches of clearance. Since Electric Boat had never removed a pontoon before, the team conducted a series of table-top exercises and a dry run to ensure success.
A new pontoon is being constructed at Bollinger Shipyard in Louisiana and will be installed in Graving Dock 3 this summer.
Electric Boat Earns Top National Recognition in Military Times Best for Vets: Employers 2026 Rankings
Electric Boat continues to be recognized as a leading employer for veterans, service members, and military families, earning the #76 spot among 247 employers nationwide in the Military Times Best for Vets: Employers 2026 rankings. The recognition highlights the company’s longstanding commitment to recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining veterans and military-connected talent across our workforce....Continue reading→
On the Waterfront, the Future Arizona is Coming to Life
An intricate, high-stakes choreography in Electric Boat’s North Yard is bringing the future Arizona (SSGN 803) to life as shipbuilders, led by Ship’s Manager Josh Leaf, continue to meet major milestones assembling the first submarine that features the Virginia Payload Module (VPM). In just a matter of weeks, EB teams in Groton and Quonset Point...Continue reading→
2026 Veterans Day Observances
Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, for Electric Boat’s annual Veterans Day observances, as we gather together to honor our service members past and present. There will be ceremonies held for first-, second- and third-shift employees in Groton and Quonset Point. 2026 Veterans Day commemorative pins will be available for those in attendance. If...Continue reading→
Introducing the Native Americans & Indigenous People of Electric Boat (NAIP) Employee Resource Group
Electric Boat (EB) Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce while contributing to the success of our business. Formed to raise awareness and celebrate different cultures, communities, and experiences, these employee‑led groups foster a stronger sense of unity and belonging. ERGs cultivate an inclusive environment where employees can connect,...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 30: 40-Year Dinner Celebrates EB’s Distinguished Shipbuilders
Electric Boat recently held the annual 40-Year Shipbuilder Dinner at the Mystic Marriott, honoring the newest class of Distinguished Shipbuilders for their contributions to EB and our nation’s defense. Watch the latest Rayha Report to hear from a few of these shipbuilders as they reflect on their career in conversation with EB President Mark Rayha....Continue reading→
EB Supports 45th Annual MLK Scholarship Awards
Electric Boat was proud to serve as a scholarship sponsor for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund at its 45th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner. More than 600 community members gathered to celebrate this year’s extraordinary cohort of 2026 MLK Scholars. These 13 outstanding students were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, character,...Continue reading→
Building the Future: EB’s New Central Distribution Hub
In April, Electric Boat (EB) began construction on the new central distribution hub for its warehousing, shipping, and receiving operations at 45 Frontage Road in North Stonington, CT. Since then, the 480,000‑square‑foot next‑generation warehouse facility has quickly taken shape. All wall panels are now complete, and construction is ahead of schedule. The facility will celebrate...Continue reading→
Delivering the Future
Some imagine the future. We deliver it now.
State-of-the-Art Simulator Prepares District of Columbia Crew for its Mission
As construction of the District of Columbia (SSBN 826) continues apace in EB’s South Yard Assembly Building, the sailors who will soon be at the controls are spending hours in a dynamic, high-tech simulator learning the intricacies of operating the 21,000-ton, first-in-class boomer. The Columbia Ship Control Operator Trainer (CSCOT) is a replica of the...Continue reading→
Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of USS Groton Sail Monument
Fifty years after the USS Groton (SSN‑694) first launched, dozens gathered outside the Groton Public Library Oct. 9 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the USS Groton Sail Monument. The $6.6 million project—three decades in the making—will honor the men and women who design, build, operate and maintain the Navy’s submarines, as well as the families...Continue reading→
