U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) thinks he has an answer for the Navy's collision problem: More ships and money. In a Sept. 10 statement, Bryne referred to two recent ship collisions that killed 17 sailors and Navy testimony at a recent subcommittee meeting of the House Armed Services Committee, which "made clear” investigations were ongoing, but "a number of conclusions can be drawn." The Navy needs improved training, additional sailors and ships, he argued. More ships mean less frequent deployments, and the "lack of adequate funding” means uncertainty for national defense. At the HASC subcommittee meeting, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Bill Moran, told lawmakers that Navy ships have much more impact when they're stationed near high-tension areas. But such deployment puts a strain on manpower, maintenance and training. A GAO report concludes that a quick fix is not feasible: The Navy has "extended its time frame for readiness recovery to at least 2021, but it still has not developed specific benchmarks or interim goals for tracking and reporting on readiness recovery." Byrne supports an expansion to a 355-ship Navy. In his statement on readiness, Bryne appeared miffed at the Senate’s inaction on budget bills for 11 more ships. U.S. Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.), who also supports a 355-ship goal and more spending, has filed an amendment to the bill to authorize $1.2 billion more for ship construction, including three Littoral Combat Ships to be built at Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Ala., for FY-18. (Source: AL.com 09/11/17)
Shipbuilding and maritime related news from the Central Gulf Coast region
