July 16, 2020 – Business & Coronavirus Update

You are currently viewing July 16, 2020 – Business & Coronavirus Update

Hi everyone, it’s Thursday, July 16th. (podcast)

Since my last update on July 9th, we’ve had three employees test positive for COVID-19. The first employee works in the Kings Bay, Georgia, facility in department 707. The employee’s last day of work was June 25th. The second employee works at the Eagle Park facility in department 459. The employee’s last day of work was July 9th. The third employee works at the Quonset Point Facility in department 920 in the Waterfront Warehouse; their last day of work was July 13th.

Today I’d like to highlight several key business milestones we’ve met over the last month. A few weeks ago on the podcast, Joe Drake and I talked about construction work underway in Groton and Quonset Point that’s getting us ready for simultaneous production of the Columbia and Virginia programs. Since then, Quonset Point Building 9B has been delivered, completing our 8-acre manufacturing space for submarine assembly and outfitting. The Coatings facility at QP has also been delivered, providing the extra throughput we’ll need for Columbia. Also at QP, the first cylinder in the Virginia Payload Module has been formed and is in a fixture to begin pairing with the first two VPM tubes. So a lot of progress at Quonset.

On June 25th, SSN 793 PCU Oregon floated off and moved to its berth on the northwest wing wall. Our CEO, Phebe Novakovic, Tom Hagist, a 40-year employee, and Lisa Trolan, a 34-year employee, helped by opening the valve that began the float-out process. The ship is now more than 90% complete and the ship’s crew is expected to move aboard in November.

On the 795 boat, Rickover, the path to pressure hull complete has been cleared with the Command and Control Systems module loaded into Section 1-2A and the Steam Generator Fill piping is completed. On Friday, we will shift the bow section into position in Bay 5 and, this weekend, we will complete the 2B-5 end load.

The Iowa, SSN 797, received both remaining major QP modules in June. PCU Idaho, SSN 799, has been making good progress with recent installation of the Reactor Plant Module and Section 6/7. Also in June, the reactor compartment deck for SSN 801, Utah, was shipped to Groton by QP. Utah is the last ship of Virginia Block IV.

SSN 790, USS South Dakota is continuing its post-shakedown availability in Graving Dock #2, and is making good progress. With the help of our carpenters, we improved our schedule and will float-off in mid-October.

This morning, I watched our docking, dive and Carpenter team bring USS Delaware, SSN 791, to complete emergent repairs on her bow dome. That evolution went very smoothly and I got to see, first-hand, excellent communications and world-class teamwork from everyone involved. Good work.

The Design and Engineering organization last month completed 117 Columbia Disclosures and 92 Block V disclosures; it was also the first month where more than 300 Columbia work instructions were issued.

Also of note, last Thursday, July 9th, Quonset Point successfully delivered the 5th fully outfitted Dreadnought Missile Tube to the UK Ministry of Defense at the BAE Shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England. The delivery continues our commitment to the UK in the execution of the joint US/UK Common Missile Compartment (CMC) construction programs.

Thank you for continuing to focus on our critical mission as we negotiate life with COVID. By managing through the constraints posed by the coronavirus, you’ve demonstrated that the men and women of Electric Boat are resilient and very creative in finding new ways to do our work. I look to each of you as experts in your job tasks and count on you to continually find ways to make things better for your coworkers, new employees coming into your group, our company and the sailors we serve.

Earlier this month, our Continuous Improvement team launched a database and has worked hard to implement a process to collect and implement great ideas from each of us. The new Continuous Improvement Action Database (CIAD) is ready for your use. I encourage you to submit two ideas within your work area—what are parts of your job that frustrate you, or what could you suggest to make your job easier, safer and more efficient? I want to hear about it. Your supervisor will review the ideas, discuss them with you and come up with a plan for implementation. You can find a link to the Continuous Improvement Action Database (CIAD) on Homeport.

FYI, incentive checks for the first half of the year will be delivered to department heads the week of July 27th. That same week we will also communicate the goals for the second half of 2020.

Thank you for listening. Please stay safe. Wear a mask, follow physical distancing guidelines, wash and/or sanitize your hands frequently and if you don’t feel well, stay home. Today supervisors were emailed EB’s COVID-19 Travel Guidance and we’ve posted it on Homeport. If you travel, whether for business or personal reasons, please be aware of and follow the EB protocols to keep yourself, your loved ones and your co-workers safe.

We’ll talk again soon; thanks.

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.​

Lauren Knapp Honored with Victoria Soto Memorial Award

We are proud to celebrate Lauren Knapp for being named a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Soto Memorial Award, presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut. This recognition highlights Lauren’s exceptional commitment to mentorship, community engagement and making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. The Victoria Soto Memorial Award honors individuals...Continue reading→

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Warehouse in North Stonington

Electric Boat broke ground Wednesda​​y on a new warehouse that will support shipbuilding operations in Groton and Quonset Point. The 480,000‑square‑foot facility, located at 45 Frontage Road in North Stonington, will streamline how material moves across different work sites. Electric Boat purchased​​ the 55‑acre property from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in 2025. The project...Continue reading→

Lessons From the Loss of USS Thresher (SSN 593) on April 10, 1963

​Photo by EB Employee Patrick “Pat” M. McCarthy, Principal Program Representative, Quality (D421). Electric Boat Shipbuilders, On the morning of April 10,1963, USS Thresher began her deep dive in 8,400 feet of water 220 miles off Cape Cod. During the dive, an unexpected message was received by USS Skylark, her escort ship: “Experiencing minor difficulties,...Continue reading→

Rayha Report Ep. 18: CT and RI Legislative Briefings

EB President Mark Rayha delivered Legislative Briefings to congressional delegations and local leaders in Connecticut and Rhode Island on Monday, March 23. See the latest installment of the Rayha Report for a recap of the events. ​​