Coronavirus: Ships to self-quarantine

The Navy has ordered all ships that have visited countries in the Pacific region to effectively self-quarantine and remain at sea for 14 days in order to monitor sailors for any symptoms of coronavirus. "Out of an abundance of caution,” the Pacific Fleet is implementing mitigations to prevent sailors from contracting COVID-19, and to monitor sailors who have traveled into higher-risk areas, Navy spokesperson Lt. James Adams told CNN. There are “no indications that any personnel have contracted Coronavirus Disease 2019" at this time, he said. The PACFLT commander Adm. John Aquilino issued guidance. Ships are to remain at sea 14 days “before pulling into another port, in order to monitor sailors for any symptoms of the virus." (Source: CNN 02/28/20) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/navy-orders-self-quarantine-for-ships-that-have-made-stops-in-the-pacific/ar-BB10uHSE?ocid=spartandhp

HII-Pascagoula christens NSC Stone

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened National Security Cutter Stone (WMSL 758) here on Feb. 29. Stone is the ninth Legend-class NSC to be built at Ingalls. The ship honors Coast Guard officer Cmdr. Elmer “Archie” Fowler Stone, who made history in 1919 for being one of the two CG pilots to successfully make the first transatlantic flight in a Navy seaplane. Stone’s great niece, Laura Cavallo, officially christened the ship. Event speakers on behalf of the Coast Guard include Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz and Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Ray. (Source: HII 02/29/20) https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/photo-release-national-security-cutter-stone-wmsl-758-christened-at-ingalls-shipbuilding

Slidell 30% work on MCM

AAI Corp. (dba Textron Systems) of Hunt Valley, Md., is awarded a $21,795,236 fixed-price incentive modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-6322) for low rate initial production for the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) Unmanned Surface Vehicle Program. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley (70%), and Slidell, La., (30%), and is expected to be completed by August 2021. The UISS will allow the littoral combat ship to perform its mine countermeasure (MCM) sweep mission and will target acoustic, magnetic, and magnetic/acoustic combination mine types. The UISS program will satisfy the Navy's need for a rapid, wide-area coverage mine clearance capability, required to neutralize magnetic/acoustic influence mines. UISS seeks to provide a high area coverage rate in a small, lightweight package with minimal impact on the host platform. FY 2018 Navy procurement and FY-19 other Navy procurement funding in the amount of $21,795,236 will be obligated at time of award. Funds in the amount of $7,950,616 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/28/20)

Navy accepts delivery of LHA 7

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), the Navy's newest America-class amphibious assault ship, from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding here Feb. 28. Optimized for aviation capability, Tripoli will enhance Marine Corps aviation with an enlarged hangar deck, greater maintenance capability, and JP-5 fuel capacity. LHA 7 represents the “culmination of significant work effort by shipbuilders here at Ingalls … suppliers … government stakeholders … as well as Naval Sea Systems Command and the Program Executive Office for Ships," said Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Gulf Coast, Capt. Nathan Schneider. With Tripoli delivered, the ship will focus on moving crew aboard and preparing for commissioning and sail-away later in 2020. HII-Pascagoula is also currently in production of Bougainville (LHA 8), the guided missile destroyers Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), and amphibious transport dock ships, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29). (Source: Team Ships 02/28/20) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112234

River Commission cancels tour stops

The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual high-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River from March 29-April 3. Four public meetings have been scheduled aboard the motor vessel Mississippi in selected towns. Commission members will meet with local partners, stakeholders and residents and hear their concerns, ideas and issues. The meeting dates, times and locations are as follows: March 30 at New Madrid, Mo.; March 31 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Memphis at the Beale Street Landing; April 1 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Greenville, Miss.; and April 3 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Orleans District Dock. All meetings are open to the public. (Source: Work Boat 02/27/20) https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/mississippi-river-commission-schedules-high-water-inspection-trip/ UPDATE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Commission (MRC) announced March 18 that its annual High-Water Inspection Trip has officially been canceled.

Mod pact for littoral environs

Alion Science and Technology Corp. of Burr Ridge, Ill., is awarded a $14,361,357 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise an option under a previously-awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61331-18-D-0007). Work performance locations will be determined with each order and is expected to be completed by March 2023. Funds will be used for the development, integration, testing and evaluation of prototype systems into existing or emerging unmanned vehicles, unmanned weapons, unmanned weapons control systems related to mine warfare, amphibious warfare, surface warfare, diving and life support, coastal and underwater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and other missions in the littoral and riverine environments. No funding will be obligated at time of award, but will be obligated at the time of delivery. Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/27/20)

No plan for CoE to open spillway

The Army Corps of Engineers has no plans at this time to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway on the Mississippi River in Louisiana to lower water levels in New Orleans, despite a forecast showing the river rising to 16.9 feet on March 4 at the Carrollton gauge, just under the official 17-foot flood stage in the city. "Based on today's forecast, we are not seeing reaching the trigger to operate Bonnet Carre," said Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett Jr. On Feb. 26, the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, part of the National Weather Service’s Slidell office, predicted the river would stay at 16.9 feet through March 8, and then begin to slowly drop. (Source: NOLA.com 02/26/20) https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_f47c0f4c-58c6-11ea-8872-931008233cf9.html

Sea Hunter adding to Miss. economy

GULFPORT, Miss. - For two South Mississippi companies, the future of unmanned surface vehicles (USV) is alive here at a United States Marine Inc. (USMI) plant. Sea Hunter II is a cutting-edge autonomous vessel designed by Leidos with national security in mind, said business area manager Bob McCummins. With autonomous vehicle operation becoming a higher priority for the military, Leidos works to get and keep the brightest minds by partnering universities across the south, including Mississippi State, USM, Ole Miss, LSU and University of South Alabama. Keeping a steady pipeline of work is key to USMI sustaining job growth in Mississippi. While Sea Hunter II is performing mission-critical tasks, it means growing the state’s economy through partnerships with the military and Port of Gulfport, said McCummins. Because of those relationships, sea trials for Sea Hunter II will take place in the Mississippi Sound as early as September. (Source: WLOX 02/227/20) https://www.wlox.com/2020/02/27/another-us-navy-asset-is-being-built-south-mississippi/

Crude oil drove trade deficit decline

The U.S. goods and services trade deficit declined 1.7% to $616.8B in 2019, its first annual decrease since 2013, according to U.S. Census Bureau annual data on the international trade balance. Some of the primary aspects of trade activity between the U.S. and its partners over the last year occurred in crude oil, according to the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report. A decline in imports, accompanied by a major rise in exports, played a role in lowering the U.S. trade deficit. Crude oil exports increased 35.5% ($17.1B) compared to the same period in 2018. Crude oil imports decreased 19.3% ($30.3B) over 2018. Additional changes in trade from 2018 to 2019 occurred in the categories of automobiles, pharmaceuticals, corn and commercial jets. The largest decline in 2019 exports over the prior year occurred in civilian aircraft falling 22% to $44.0B, followed by petroleum products that declined 11.9% to $56.4B. (Source: US Census Bureau 02/26/20) https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/02/new-annual-data-show-first-trade-deficit-decrease-since-2013.html?utm_campaign=20200226msacos1ccstors&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

La. Phase 2 restoration finalized

After consideration of public comments, the Louisiana Area Trustees have finalized the Louisiana’s Phase 2 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #1.3 (PDF, 159 pages) - released as a draft in November 2019. The plan includes a bird restoration project on Rabbit Island, and a habitat restoration project at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The final approved combined cost of the projects is approximately $37M. These costs cover engineering and design, construction, monitoring and adaptive management, and operations and maintenance. The Rabbit Island project will restore 87.8 acres of the island’s original 200-acre footprint. The shoreline protection project at Jean Lafitte will install a rock breakwater along the eastern shorelines of Lake Salvador to improve habitat for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Both projects included in this plan are components of larger restoration strategies and were approved for engineering and design in the 2017 Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan #1. This final plan is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan. (Source: Gulf Spill Restoration 02/27/20) https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/2020/02/louisiana-area-trustees-release-final-restoration-plan-rabbit-island-and-jean-lafitte?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Donald to take lead of HII board

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Feb. 26 that retired Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, chairman of the board of directors, will retire from the HII board after the next annual meeting of shareholders on April 28. Given Fargo’s decision, the board of directors elected retired Adm. Kirkland H. Donald as the new chairman effective April 28. Donald graduated from the Naval Academy in 1975 and served 37 years in the Navy, retiring as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. He previously served as commander, Naval Submarine Forces. After retiring from the Navy, he joined Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. and served as chief operating officer and then as CEO. Donald serves on the board of directors of New Orleans-based HQ of the Entergy Corp., and as chair of its nuclear committee. (Source: HII 02/26/20) https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/chairman-fargo-retirement

SECDEF: Rethink shipbuilding plan

Secretary of Defense (Dr.) Mark Esper put a stop to the release of the Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan, telling the sea service Feb. 25 to hold off and take another look at it, multiple sources confirmed to Breaking Defense. The plan was announced in 2019, and was to be completed by Jan. 15, but has run into major headwinds. The Navy insists it can grow the fleet to 355 ships as early as 2030, even with anticipated FY 2021 cuts to the shipbuilding budget. Some officials have conceded there’s little hope of significant growth in the short-term. SECDEF has been reviewing the plan for weeks, and is not willing to sign off on it. “The secretary is currently looking at that plan,” a senior defense official confirmed. Esper took over DoD last July. This is his first time to go out and influence a budget, and “he’s taking time to review things,” that official also said. Esper apparently told the Navy the plan’s not ready for release, and is unclear when it may be ready. A Marine Corps plan to reform its own force mixture was expected to be released this month, but also appears on hold. The 30-year plan is to start with FY-22 budget submission requests. The Navy request has fired up both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and was labeled “dead on arrival” by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), chairperson of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces sub-committee. The proposal calls for a $4B cut from last year’s shipbuilding budget, and asks Congress for $3B less overall from FY-20, part of an overall reduction of 11 ships the Navy had planned to buy by 2025. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday are to appear before the House Armed Service Committee on the morning of Feb. 27 in an anticipated heated meeting with lawmakers frustrated with the service’s inability to come up with a future plan. Modly kicked off a “Stem to Stern” review of the whole force in February to find $40B in savings over five years, by eliminating commands, slashing logistics costs, and cutting or outsourcing back-end functions. (Source: Breaking Defense 02/25/20) https://breakingdefense.com/2020/02/esper-to-navy-rethink-your-shipbuilding-plan/

Mini-Miss. River restoration model

HOLDEN, Mass. - Researchers and visitors stood on a levee of the Mississippi River, about an hour west of Boston, while the actual river was thousands of miles away. Actual location was a warehouse-size lab above a 1/65th scale model of a bend in the Louisiana portion of the river. The model is part of a major project to rebuild Louisiana’s vanishing coast, which is rapidly being lost to rising seas and sinking land. Engineers want to be sure their design for a river “diversion” - an enormous mechanism for restoring eroded wetlands - will work. The cost of the model to build and test was a bargain of $4M, said Dan Gessler of Alden Research Laboratory, which built it. The cost of the real project, roughly $1.4B, and the potential to cost more to correct design flaws. “It’s very, very cheap, he said.” It is also fun to play with, said David Muth, director of Gulf restoration for the National Wildlife Federation, who visited the Alden facility. His organization, along with the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Audubon Society, has joined forces with local groups to support coastal projects under the banner of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition, which calls diversions a “cornerstone for coastal restoration.” (Source: NY Times 02/25/20) htts://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/climate/louisiana-mississippi-river-model.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_NN_p_20200226&section=whatElse&campaign_id=9&instance_id=16293&segment_id=21630&user_id=069c0c79e41b9effe3db22ae17a5e131&regi_id=92576814ion=whatElse

Aviation logistics, maintenance forum

Aviation Week's Military Aviation Logistics & Maintenance Symposium provides a dynamic forum for the U.S. military and commercial aerospace industry to discuss process improvements and operational readiness concerns regarding aircraft maintenance, logistics, and sustainment operations. The event is April 28-30 in Dallas, Texas. (Source: Aviation Week 02/25/20) https://mroamericas.aviationweek.com/en/military-symposium.html

Researchers track dust in the wind

WASHINGTON - The amount of dust coming out of the Sahara Desert each year is estimated to be 14M metric tons that travels across the Atlantic Ocean, according to Arunas Kuciauskas, a Naval Research Laboratory meteorologist who tracks and quantifies the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). This meteorological phenomenon involves a very hot, dry air mass, carrying large concentrations of Saharan dust from Northern Africa across to the Greater Caribbean, South America, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States. NASA researchers estimate it would take 53,022 semi-trucks to move enough desert sand to equal the amount of dust transported per year from Northern Africa to Caribbean region. Kuciauskas collaborates with NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Caribbean organizations to model the Saharan dust storms and provide prediction tools to weather forecasters and healthcare professionals. One of the new forecasting resources he uses to track and quantify SAL events is the NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System or NUCAPS, a software tool that processes radiance data from satellite measurements collected by NOAA’s Joint Polar-orbiting Satellite System (JPSS) into thermodynamic parameters that describe the SAL. Research will lead to regional weather forecast alerts indicating each system’s severity days before the dust arrives. The Navy also benefits from early SAL forecasts. Navy meteorologists monitor weather conditions over huge swaths of ocean and collect data from rawinsondes, which consist of airborne weather instruments used to measure temperature, moisture, and wind profiles from the surface to the top of the earth’s atmosphere. This information is applied to study various weather-related properties of SAL. (Source: NRL 02/25/20) Gulf Coast Note: NRL is a scientific and engineering command with a major field site at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112175

CG suspends search for 2 boaters

The Coast Guard has been searching the Gulf of Mexico for a father and son: Gerald Cook, 81, and Peter Cook, 55. They left Panama City, Fla., area on Feb. 13 and tentatively scheduled to arrive at Vero Beach on Feb. 18, according to the CG. The Cooks are traveling with four dogs on a 52-foot yellow steel vessel called Rome. The Cooks were planning to travel down the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to the Okeechobee Waterway, which cuts across south Florida to the East Coast, according to Petty Officer Ayla Hudson in Tampa. The CG began searching after checking whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the intercoastal Okeechobee Waterway, had received any reports of the vessel. The search has covered more than 31,000 miles in the GoM since last Wednesday. Elisabeth Cook, 82, wife and mother of the missing men told TCPalm.com it was the Cooks’ first voyage on the recently purchased boat. They were bringing it to Vero Beach, near where the Cooks have lived for the past six years. (They were originally from Rhode Island.) She last talked to her husband Feb. 13, when they stopped at Port St. Joe, about 40 miles from Panama City. Gerald Cook was an oceanographer who worked with the Navy on ships and submarines across the world, TCPalm reported. (Source: Providence Journal 02/24/20) https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200224/coast-guard-in-florida-searching-for-father-and-son-from-ri UPDATE: CG officials are in the eighth day (Feb. 26) of searching for missing father-and-son boaters, Gerald and Peter Cook. “One thing we can never factor in is a person’s will to live,” said Petty Officer Jonathan Lally, CGuard spokesperson. “You can factor in all the other implements, but that person’s will to live is the unknown variable in the mathematical equation.” Lally said the Cooks’ float plan was playing a crucial role in the search. “Float plans are a key factor,” Lally said, adding it provided projected beginning, middle and end points they could coordinate their search around. UPDATE2: The CG suspended its search for two boaters, Gerald Cook, 81, Peter Cook, 55, and their four dogs, at sunset Feb. 26. The Cooks have been missing since Feb. 19, after they were reported overdue by family. Since the search began on Wednesday, CG air and surface units conducted over 56 searches covering more than 109,319 square nautical miles.

Riverboat completes 2nd sea trial

American Queen Steamboat Company announced that its 245-passenger American Countess completed a second successful sea trial Feb. 19, marking the sixth major milestone of the new ship’s development. The overnight paddle-wheeler will be christened in New Orleans on April 4 ahead of its inaugural sailing from New Orleans to Memphis, Tenn., April 5-13. The riverboat will join the American Queen and American Duchess on the Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio and Cumberland rivers. During the most recent sea trial, American Countess navigated through a section of the Intracoastal Waterway in Houma, La., enroute to Morgan City, La., as part of an extensive river trial completing several key tests and simulations as part of their Certificate of Inspection issued by the Coast Guard.  The completion of the trial puts the vessel on track for an on-time delivery from Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma. (Source: Work Boat 02/24/20) https://www.workboat.com/news/passenger-vessels/american-countess-completes-successful-sea-trial/

DDG 119 completes builder's trials

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The future guided missile USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) successfully completed builder’s trials Feb. 22 after spending three days underway in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials were conducted by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII), Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. The ship was previously underway for Alpha trials in December, and will be underway again in March for Acceptance trials. Delbert D. Black is configured as a Flight IIA destroyer, which enables power projection, forward presence and escort operations at sea in support of Low Intensity Conflict/Coastal and Littoral Offshore Warfare as well as open ocean conflict. DDG 119 will be equipped with the Navy’s Aegis Combat System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon. HII-Pascagoula is also currently in production on the future destroyers Frank E. Petersen Jr (DDG 121), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) and Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first ship to be built in the Flight III configuration. (Source: PEO Ships 02/24/20)

NW Fla. PWO military enginner of year

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Lt. Cmdr. Christopher J. McDowell, Public Works Officer (PWO) assigned to Naval Support Activity Panama City, was honored by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) as the Navy’s ‘2020 Military Engineer of the Year’ at an awards presentation Feb. 14 at the Washington Navy Yard. Rear Adm. John Kora noted that he was “extremely pleased” with the selection of McDowell from “our Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast.” Rear Adm. Kora is commander at NAVFAC and Chief of Civil Engineers. In addition to being named the top military engineer, McDowell was a top 10 finalist at the National Society of Professional Engineers’ (NSPE) ‘Federal Engineer of the Year’ awards. Lt. Cmdr. McDowell leads a team of 72 employees with an annual budget of around $35M in construction and $41M in maintenance support for the base and its missions. McDowell was called to Philadelphia to resolve an issue with the Navy’s Foundry and Propeller Center at the old Navy yard that manufactures propellers for the Columbia class submarine. He established a plan to enlarge the 100-year-old foundry, upgrade the power grid and enable support for 15 different types of industrial gases, so production would be online in two years. “I had five months to develop hundreds of projects and then combine them into a major construction project,” said McDowell. In October 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated Bay County, Fla. McDowell’s main mission was disaster recovery. Hurricane Michael’s sustained winds of 161 mph was responsible for destroying/damaging 200 of the 368 facilities at NSAPC. Damages were estimated around $186M. Currently, McDowell’s biggest challenge is finding contractors to do the work needed to rebuild. (Source: NSWC Panama City 02/24/20) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112149&utm_source=phplist4759&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Feature+Stories

La.-based destroyer heading to Fla.

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Gearing-class destroyer Orleck has made its home in Lake Charles for the past decade but will soon make a 16-hour trip to Port Arthur, Texas, then trek for a week to Jacksonville, Florida, to join the Jacksonville Naval Museum. The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association intends to have the Orleck as its main attraction for museum-goers and ship enthusiasts everywhere. The ship came to Lake Charles in May of 2010, and was open to the public in April 2011. (Source: Navy Times 02/24/20) https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/02/24/anchors-aweigh-historic-warship-heads-to-florida-museum/

Austal USA launches EPF-12

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy’s 12th expeditionary fast transport (EPF), future USNS Newport (EPF 12), was launched Feb. 20 from Austal USA’s shipyard, according to the Navy’s Program Executive Office-Ships. EPF launching is a multi-step process. Ship modules are constructed in Austal’s facility, and then transported to an assembly bay. When ready for launch, the ship is transported by heavy-lift machinery to a docking barge in the Mobile River and then onto a floating dry dock. From there, the dry dock is submerged and the ship is launched. The event takes course over two days. “We are excited to get Newport in the water, so we can shift focus to final outfitting and trials,” said Tim Roberts, strategic and theater sealift program manager, PEO-Ships. EPFs can transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. Newport is on track to be delivered later in 2020. Austal has also started construction of the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) and is under contract for the future USNS Cody (EPF 14). (Source: Seapower 02/24/20) https://seapowermagazine.org/12th-expeditionary-fast-transport-launched/

GoM cobia rule to increase size

The final rule for Framework Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region will increase the recreational and commercial minimum size limit for cobia in the Gulf Zone (see map within link) from 33 inches fork length to 36 inches fork length. The final rule will be effective on March 25. (Source: NOAA Fisheries 02/24/20) https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/bulletins/27d8710.

ABMS buy will be non-traditional

The Air Force’s live-fire Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) experiment, set for April 8, will take more risks than its December exercise in order to find more flaws to fix, according to AF acquisition chief Will Roper. The April experiment will involve physically shooting down an unmanned aircraft and a cruise missile using ships, submarines, ground troops, aircraft, and satellites. “The only failure” in the previous experiment was that “we had way too many successes,” Roper stated Feb. 21. In the next exercise he wants “an equal measure of things that fail for things that succeed.” The 80-90 percent success in December meant that the AF didn’t learn enough from it, he said. The point of this future buy is to inject continual learning, Roper asserted. It must be conducted differently than any previous major weapon system acquisition because “if we run this as a major defense acquisition program, we’re already doomed to fail.” Technology is progressing too rapidly for the AF to approach this program with anything less than breakneck speed, he said. It will be “really cool” for ABMS “when we start going from demonstrating to competition and source selection,” Roper asserted, because the competition will in no way be traditional. “(W)e will actually force vendors that are competing to make significant changes” between four-month cycles, compelling them to demonstrate flexible updating. This approach changes source selection because it “puts a big spotlight incentive on upgradeability and adaptability, he said. Participating locations will include Eglin AFB, Fla., Nellis AFB, Nev., Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and the Army’s White Sands (NM) Missile Range, among other locations. (Source: AF Magazine 02/21/20) https://www.airforcemag.com/roper-aims-for-50-percent-failure-in-next-abms-experiment/

Fuel contracts for Ala., La., Miss.

Phillips 66 Co., Houston, Texas, (SPE602-20-D-0461, $795,343,081); Petromax Refining Co.,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0468, $430,810,752); BPPNA GOT/IST, Chicago, Illinois (SPE602-20-D-0476, $330,132,694); Placid Refining Co.,* Port Allen, Louisiana (SPE602-20-D-0469, $192,016,999); Alon USA LP, Dallas, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0463, $174,090,089); Lazarus Energy Holdings LLC,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0470, $130,664,718); Petromax LLC,* Houston, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0475, $100,790,924); BP Products North America Inc., Chicago, Illinois (SPE602-20-D-0464, $86,381,024); Husky Marketing & Supply Co., Dublin, Ohio (SPE602-20-D-0472, $82,853,998); Calumet Shreveport Fuels LLC,* Indianapolis, Indiana (SPE602-20-D-0466, $80,628,947); Hunt Refining Co., Tuscaloosa, Alabama (SPE602-20-D-0471, $67,117,666); Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co., San Antonio, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0465, $52,916,323); ExxonMobil Corp., Spring, Texas (SPE602-20-D-0462, $30,914,478); Epic Aviation LLC, Salem, Oregon (SPE602-20-D-0467, $26,100,164); Hermes Consolidated LLC, doing business as Wyoming Refining Co., Rapid City, S.D. (SPE602-20-D-0473, $25,735,920); Irving Oil Terminals Inc., Portsmouth, N.H. (SPE602-20-D-0474, $12,642,554); and Avfuel Corp.,* Ann Arbor, Michigan (SPE602-20-D-0460, $8,956,636) have each been awarded a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPE602-19-R-0711 for various types of fuel. These were competitive acquisitions with 32 offers received. These are one-year contracts with a 30-day carryover. Locations of performance are Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, with an April 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency Energy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD 02/21/20)

Ala.-built concrete warship a landmark

To conserve steel during WWI, Mobile, Ala., shipbuilder F.F. Ley & Co. turned to an unlikely building material: Concrete. On June 28, 1919, the first concrete-hulled ship built in Mobile, USS Selma, was launched and prepared to aid Allied forces. Unknown to the shipbuilder at the time, the Treaty of Versailles was being signed that same day, ending the war. Selma never saw active duty and was sold by the government to a private company in Texas. Never used in battle, Selma was sold as a private oil tanker, a year later struck a jetty in Mexico, making a 60-foot hole in the hull. The ship was hauled to port in Galveston, Texas. The Selma sat neglected in the Galveston port for two years before the owners decided to scrap her and “was towed to a specially dug channel and sunk off of Pelican Island, Texas, on March 9, 1922,” according to W. Jayson Hill in an article on the Encyclopedia of Alabama. Today, Selma is a tourist attraction of sorts. The ship remains above water and visible from shore. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Texas archaeological landmark. (Source: Alabama Media Group 02/20/20) https://www.stripes.com/lifestyle/military-history/wwi-era-concrete-ship-the-uss-selma-deteriorating-in-texas-harbor-1.619506

SAR exercise in Perdido Bay

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and other agencies are scheduled to conduct a search and rescue (SAR) exercise in Perdido Bay, Fla., from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturaday (Feb. 22). The exercise will take place between the Lillian Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway. It will include searches on land, water and air. An incident command post will be established at the Lillian Boat Launch on Perdido Bay. Involved in the exercise are: CG Station Pensacola; Escambia Search and Rescue; Lower Alabama Search and Rescue; Lillian Fire Department; Civil Air Patrol; Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Patrol; and Daphne (Ala.) Search and Rescue. (Source: Coast Guard 02/21/20)

Hurricane clues & TWR floats

The influences of ocean conditions and currents on living environments are now more widely appreciated from the Earth’s climate and severe weather conditions to fisheries and biodiversity. Sustained and widespread measurements are needed to provide essential clues for understanding the oceans, for effective monitoring of environmental changes, and for helping to clarify the long-term effects of global warming. Teledyne Webb Research were pioneers of unmanned undersea glider technology. Accurately predicting a hurricane’s landfall and strength saves lives. For exploring ocean conditions beneath hurricanes, TWR’s EM-APEX floats must be deployed at short notice ahead of moving storms; and are air-dropped by parachute from an Air Force WC-130J aircraft based out of Keesler AFB, Miss. When hurricane Michael entered the Gulf of Mexico in October 2018, three EM-APEX floats were launched into its path by a research team led by Professor Nick Shay, and dropped from a WC-130J Hercules aircraft by the Hurricane Hunters at Kessler AFB. The floats are modified for collecting weather information in hurricanes. (Source: Marine Link 02/20/20) https://www.marinelink.com/news/measuring-hostile-ocean-beneath-475803.

Party ship to visit Mobile Mardi Gras

MOBILE, Ala. - The USS McFaul has become the party ship for the northern Gulf Coast. The destroyer, which will visit Mobile for Mardi Gras, previously docked in the Port City during BayFest 2010. The music fest is no more, but the McFaul, built and launched at nearby Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., in 1997 has stayed busy, according to an official log of activities. It’s due to dock just north of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center at about 11 a.m. on Feb. 21. The Coast Guard Cutter Gannet will begin its own Mardi Gras visit on Feb. 24. Both ships will be open to tours during their visits. It is long-standing tradition for Navy ships to visit Mobile during Mardi Gras, with uniformed sailors joining the civilian crowds at parades and other festivities. (Source: Alabama Media Group 02/19/20) https://www.stripes.com/news/us/navy-destroyer-coast-guard-cutter-to-visit-mobile-for-mardi-gras-1.619289

Fla., La. work on POL system

Bristol Engineering Services Co. LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (N39430-20-D-2221); Dawson Enterprises LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii (N39430-20-D-2222); GSI-Pond JV LLC,* Flemington, New Jersey (N39430-20-D-2223); Reliable Contracting Group LLC,* Louisville, Kentucky (N39430-20-D-2224); Aptim Federal Services LLC, Alexandria, Virginia (N39430-20-D-2225); CAPE-Burns and McDonnell JV, Kansas City, Missouri (N39430-20-D-2226); Weston Solutions Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania (N39430-20-D-2227); and Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions Inc., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (N39430-20-D-2228), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award construction contract to provide sustainment, restoration and modernization services for petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) systems at various locations worldwide. The work to be performed provides for design, engineering, inspection, testing, maintenance and repair and new construction of POL fuel systems such as pipelines, fuel storage tanks, and associated facilities at POL facilities worldwide. The maximum dollar value of the 60-month ordering period for all eight contracts combined is $880,000,000. Aptim Federal Services LLC is being awarded the seed task order in the amount of $623,600 for clean, inspect and repair services of POL fuel storage tanks located at Naval Base Point Loma. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by November 2020. All work on this contract will be performed worldwide. Based on current trends, work will be distributed to the continental U.S. (CONUS) (35%); Far East (35%); Hawaii (15%); Europe (10%); and Marianas (5%). For the CONUS locations, the 35% is estimated to be distributed to California (10.5%); Virginia (10.5%); Florida (5.25%); Washington (5.25%); Texas (1.75%); Georgia (0.35%); Louisiana (0.35%); Maryland (0.35%); Nevada (0.35%); and North Carolina (0.35%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2025. Fiscal 2020 defense working capital funds (DWCF) in the amount of $693,600 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by DWCF. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 18 proposals received. These eight contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/19/20)

Life-jacket launchers for NWF

Deputies in the marine and beach units of the Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office have obtained four “life jacket launchers” to help swimmers in distress. The launchers shoot out a life jacket that inflates when it makes contact with the water on Destin and Okaloosa Island beaches in NW Florida. The launchers will give deputies another tool to secure public safety and ultimately help save lives, Sgt. Brian Parkton from the Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division said in an email Feb. 18 to the NW Florida Daily News. Deputies in the marine/beach units will increase patrols during the upcoming spring break. County Beach Safety Division Chief Rich Huffnagle said while county lifeguards won’t be using the life-jacket launchers, the devices could offer help in situations where there is no lifeguard on hand. (Source: NW Fla. Daily News 02/19/20)

STE/Halter Marine expanding

JACKSON, Miss. - Ship maintenance and repair company ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore Inc. (STEHMO) is expanding in Pascagoula. The project is a $10M corporate investment that will eventually create 100 jobs by late 2021. The shipbuilding and repair industry is a powerhouse on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, generating billions of dollars and providing skilled jobs for thousands of Mississippians, says Gov. Tate Reeves. STEHMO, along with its sister company VT Halter Marine, is growing to perform new commercial repair work for larger ships and oil platforms that require greater size and lifting capacity. STEHMO is adding dock space and water depth to its Bayou Casotte site. The company also is investing in machinery, equipment and building upgrades. STEHMO plans to fill the new jobs by the end of 2021, increasing employment at the facility to 186. (Source: Mississippi Development Authority 02/18/20) https://mississippi.org/news-room/st-engineering-halter-marine-and-offshore-creating-100-jobs-investing-10-million-at-pascagoula-site/

NRL field tests ocean glider teams

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Scientists from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Ocean Sciences Division here in south Mississippi are optimizing the placement of ocean gliders, and the usage of glider data to improve the Navy’s ability to predict ocean conditions. Researchers have frequently used gliders to collect data on ocean conditions. “Predicting the ocean’s interior weather is challenging, yet it has important implications for all those who sail and operate on its waters,” said Dr. Jeffrey Book, an NRL oceanographer. “To help mitigate this problem, the ocean observing community has been developing new techniques for autonomously measuring the ocean’s interior and reporting data back in real time.” Because of the ocean’s vast volume, efficiently placing a small number of gliders to capture observations of a dynamic environment can be tricky. NRL researchers have been looking at ways to optimize glider placement, including using them in teams. Currently, deploying ocean gliders calls for placing them far apart to maximize spatial coverage. But, putting gliders in teams would be adding complexity and change to piloting techniques. Researchers upgraded an existing automated piloting tool for team gliders called Guidance for Heterogeneous Observation Systems (GHOST). It has the ability to optimize single glider use with user-defined and restricted conditions. The researchers spent 18 days off the coast of North Carolina to field test six gliders in the teaming concept. The gliders collected more than 13,000 conductivity, temperature and depth profiles used in two ocean forecast models. “We found that there is little to no benefit in using teams without improving the way you assimilate the data,” said Book. There was some benefit to improving the assimilation method, but the benefit was greatly increased if we used glider teams. The overall improvement Book’s team observed was 9-to-12 percent in improved accuracy of the ocean weather models. (Source: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 02/18/20) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112114.

CG commandant update

WASHINGTON - The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard will outline the vision for the service and highlight the accomplishments of its people during the 2020 State of the Coast Guard Address on Fe.19 at 12 noon in Charleston, S.C. It will be live at www.uscg.mil/AlwaysReady or Facebook at @USCoastGuard. To follow the event on Twitter, use hashtag #CoastGuard2020. Update: What the commandant had to say during the state of the CG address: https://www.marinelink.com/news/adm-schultz-delivers-state-coast-guard-475895?utm_source=MT-ENews-2020-02-21&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MT-ENews 

Surface-to-air testing in GoM

EGLIN AFB, Fla. - The Navy will conduct surface-to-air weapon testing in the Gulf of Mexico on Feb. 19-20. The hazard area is about 75 miles south of Destin, Fla. The active times are from 6 a.m. to 12 noon both days. All vessels are required to remain clear of the hazard area during those times. Range advisories and notice to mariners will broadcast on Channel 16. For more information, call (850) 882-5800. Coordinates found within link. (Source: Eglin AFB 02/17/20) https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2079694/navy-to-test-surface-to-air-weapons-in-gulf/

HII STEM-based achievements

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Feb. 17 that 11 of its employees from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi, Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding and Technical Solutions divisions were recognized for achievements in STEM-based fields during the 34th annual Black Engineer of the Year Award conference last week in Washington, D.C. Dorian Newton, an engineering director at Technical Solutions, received the Educational Leadership-Corporate Promotion of Education Award recognizing private sector workers who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to enhancing the opportunities for minorities in technology-based careers through the promotion of scientific and technical education programs. Eight employees received the Modern Day Technology Leader Award, which recognizes efforts in shaping the future of engineering, science and technology. Among the recipients from HII-Pascagoula are: Denise Bovastro, design engineering manager; and Tracey Cryer, electrical engineer. Two Technical Solutions employees received the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award. The award recognizes efforts in creating new paths for others in science, research, technology and development. They are Brett Perkins, mechanical engineer and James Simmons III, nuclear engineer. (Source: HII 02/17/20) 

https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/photo-release-huntington-ingalls-industries-employees-honored-at-34th-annual-black-engineer-of-the-year-award-stem-conference

MSU part of GoM research team

An 11-member team of researchers from Auburn, Mississippi State, and NC State universities, plus the Dauphin Island (Ala.) Sea Lab, has launched a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association study to strengthen several declining species in the estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), and to understand damaging environmental factors on their sustainability. The $2.8M study, “Building Resilience for Oysters, Blue Crabs and Spotted Seatrout to Environmental Trends and Variability,” is part of the NOAA RESTORE program, which awarded about $15.6M to research teams studying trends in coastal and marine resources, and the processes, driving them in GoM region. “Oysters, blue crabs and spotted seatrout populations in the Gulf have suffered substantial declines,” said Latif Kalin, professor of hydrology at Auburn. But, the relationship between population trends and environmental factors are not well known. Through the project, “we hope to disentangle this relationship and provide an end-to-end perspective,” he is quoted in an AU news release. The results of the research, a partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, and other stakeholders, will feed into resource management and restoration decisions toward holistic ecosystem management of Mobile Bay. The information will help resource managers in Mobile Bay, and the Gulf Coast, to make evidence-based decisions and best management strategies for estuarine ecosystem restorations under current and future climates. Lead researcher John Lehrter, a senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and an associate professor at the University of South Alabama, said he hopes the project leads to a better understanding of environmental variability and trends; and have an impact on the environment and economy. (Source: Alabama News Center 02/16/20)

https://alabamanewscenter.com/2020/02/16/auburn-university-usa-researchers-seek-to-ensure-resilience-of-gulf-species-to-environmental-changes/ 

Water Institute’s new board members

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Water Institute of the Gulf is welcomed three new members to its board of directors – Dr. Gerry Galloway Jr., Christy Brown and Dr. Efi Foufoula-Georgiou. The Institute is also announced that Dr. Robert Twilley, executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, is joining the Institute’s Science and Engineering Advisory Council (SEAC). Galloway is an internationally recognized researcher and Professor of Engineering at the University of Maryland where he focuses on issues of water resources policy and management, disaster resilience and national security. Brown is managing director of NOLA Holdings, chairman of the McIlhenny Company, and VP/director of Avery Island Inc. a family land management company in southern Louisiana. Foufoula-Georgiou is Distinguished Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth System Science and the Endowed Chair in Engineering at the University of California-Irvine, with research focusing on hydrologic prediction and climate impacts. Galloway is also a retired brigadeer general with the Corps of Engineers. In 2008, he was appointed to the Louisiana Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation, and appointed by President Reagan to serve on the Mississippi River Commission. Brown serves/has served on boards, including Audubon Louisiana, Greater New Orleans Foundation, and the National Audubon Society’s Leadership Council. Foufoula-Georgiou has served as director of the NSF Science and Technology Center, “National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics” and director of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota. She has published extensively in hydrology and geomorphology and has pioneered methods for multi-scale analysis of complex environmental systems. Twilley has been executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant Program since 2012. (Source: Water Institute of the Gulf Coast 02/05/20) The Water Institute is a not-for-profit, independent applied research and technical services institution with a mission to help coastal and deltaic communities thoughtfully prepare for an uncertain future. Through an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, our work helps create more resilient communities, thriving economies, and healthy environment. https://thewaterinstitute.org/media/press-releases/water-institute-welcomes-three-new-board-members-and-a-new-science-and-engineering-advisory-council-member.

La., Miss. ports awarded $Ms in funds

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced it has awarded more than $280M in discretionary grant funding through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. The funding is designed to improve port facilities at or near coastal seaports. PIDP supports efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve facility and freight infrastructure. Of the 15 projects awarded grants, six are located in Opportunity Zones, which were created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments. Two of the 15 projects are located on the Gulf Coast. *LaPlace, La. - Globalplex Multi-Modal Connections Project (awarded $13,410,662). Located at the Port of South Louisiana, the grant will be used to add multimodal connections and enhance the operation efficiency of Globalplex, a public port with a 335-acre maritime industrial park. The project consists of five construction components which, upon completion, will promote exports and improve the state of good repair and resiliency of the complex. *Harrison County, Miss. - Port of Gulfport Access Project (awarded $15,760,000) (Opportunity Zone). This grant will be used to improve the roadways leading to and from the entrance to the port, which serves all freight and military cargo. These improvements will promote exports and improve the resiliency of the pavement on local roads. This project is located in an Opportunity Zone. (Source: Marine Link 02/14/20) https://www.marinelink.com/news/us-ports-mln-marad-grants-475676.

Port NOLA setting passenger records

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) - the sixth-largest cruise port in the U.S. - saw another record-breaking year in cruise passenger numbers and vessel calls. With the launch of Disney cruises, and the addition of year-round itineraries from Royal Caribbean International in 2020, Port officials anticipate another robust season. In 2019, Port NOLA recorded 1.2M cruise passenger movements, an annual record, up from 1.18M in 2018. The Port also saw an increase in cruise-vessel calls (251, up from 235 in 2018). These records “highlight the popularity and convenience of cruising from New Orleans, with more and more passengers choosing to set sail from our unique city,” said Brandy D. Christian, Port NOLA President/CEO. The 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder began sailing from Port NOLA this month, and marking the first time Disney Cruise Line has had a homeport in Louisiana. Disney doubled down on the New Orleans market late last year announcing the Wonder will set sail from Port NOLA for a second season in 2021. Royal Caribbean, which previously offered seasonal cruises from New Orleans, is now offering year-round weekly itineraries on its Majesty of the Seas that began in January. Mississippi River passengers can choose from six riverboats homeported in New Orleans. The riverboats set a modern-day record at 31,306 passengers in 2019. Port NOLA also welcomed the new-modern American Harmony last August and will welcome the American Jazz in August. Port NOLA is set to homeport seven riverboat vessels in 2020. At Port NOLA, 90 percent of cruise guests travel from out of state. (Source: NOLA.com 02/13/20)

MS River rising; may stop levee work

The Mississippi River is forecast to rise to 15 feet in New Orleans by Feb. 21, and to continue rising to 16 feet by March 3, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service. But, there are no current plan to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The latest rise is being driven by rainfall across the northern Mississippi and Ohio river basins. The rising river level may also trigger a full stoppage of work on levees along the river between Baton Rouge and the mouth of the Mississippi. (Source: NOLA.com 02/14/20) https://www.nola.com/news/business/article_7049a934-4f6e-11ea-8e75-27baebc020fb.html.

Destin pass will finally be dredged

DESTIN, Fla. – Nearly two years of dredging delays by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is coming to an end. The dredging of some 250,000 cubic yards of sand that clogs Choctawhatchee Bay’s East Pass navigation channel near Destin is anticipated to start at the end of February, and perhaps finished within 30 days. The project is anticipated to cost at least $2M/ The dredged sands will be placed on Destin’s beaches. The project is expected to make the East Pass safer and easier to navigate for military vessels, charter fishing boats, and other watercraft; and to and nourish the eroded beaches of the east jetty. The cost of the will be paid for with $1.5M in federal money and at least $500,000 in county bed-taxes. Mike Hooks LLC of Westlake, La., is the contractor. Over the last two years, the CoE agreed twice to dredge East Pass and then reneged on the commitments after sending dredging contractors to other projects. The pass was last dredged in 2014. (Source: NW Fla. Daily News 02/14/20) https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200214/east-pass-dredging-work-is-finally-on-tap?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NW%20Florida%20Daily%20News%20daily%202020-02-15&utm_content=INKA_FWN&utm_term=021520.

HII reports on 4Q revenues

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) reported fourth quarter 2019 revenues of $2.4B, up 9.7% from the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating income was $186M, and operating margin was 7.7%, compared to $213M and 9.7%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Ingalls Shipbuilding’s operating income for the fourth quarter was $59M, a decrease of $25M from the same period last year. Segment operating margin in the quarter was 8.4%, compared to 12.0% in the same period last year. The decreases were primarily due to lower risk retirement on the LHA and LPD programs. For the full year, Ingalls Shipbuilding’s revenues were $2.6B, a decrease of $52M or 2%, from 2018, primarily driven by lower revenues in the NSC program, surface combatants, and amphibious assault ships. (Source: HII 02/13/20) https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/huntington-ingalls-industries-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2019-results.

Houma keel-laying of Cherokee Nation

HOUMA, La. - A keel laying ceremony was held Feb. 12 for the future USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7), the second ship of the Navy's Navajo class of Towing, Salvage, and Rescue vessels, near Gulf Island Shipyard at the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center. The keel laying ceremony formally marks the start of a ship's life and the joining of the ship's modular components. The keel serves as the symbolic backbone of the ship. In attendance to authenticate the keel was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, The Honorable Chuck Hoskin, Jr. and the ship's sponsor and Deputy Speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, The Honorable Victoria Mitchell Vazquez. During the ceremony, the keel authenticators etched their initials into the keel plate and declared it to be "truly and fairly laid." In addition to the future USNS Cherokee Nation, Gulf Island Shipyard is constructing the future USNS Navajo (T-ATS 6) and is under contract for the detail design and construction of the future USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS 8). (Source: Team Ships 02/12/20) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112093.

Austal delivers LCS 22 to Navy

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) on Feb. 12 during a ceremony at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Kansas City is the 21st Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered to the Navy and the 11th Independence variant to join the fleet. Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. It is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for later this year. “This is a tremendous day for the Navy and our country with the delivery of the future USS Kansas City,” said LCS program manager Capt. Mike Taylor. “I look forward to celebrating the commissioning of this great ship alongside the crew later this year.” Four more Independence-variant LCS are under construction at Austal USA: Oakland (LCS 24), Mobile (LCS 26), Savannah (LCS 28) and Canberra (LCS 30). Four additional ships are awaiting the start of construction. (Source: PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants 02/13/20) Austal USA builds all of the Independence class LCS. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=112085

Navy budget heading to shredder?

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers are lining up to slam the Navy’s FY-21 budget requests because it calls for a significant cut to shipbuilding, and slows the rate of growth of the fleet over the next five years. A bipartisan group of 17 senators is warning that a decision not request a second Virginia-class submarine would contradict the National Defense Strategy (NDS), weaken defense industrial base, and compromise readiness. It’s a sign the Navy’s proposed shipbuilding budget is experiencing backlash, particularly over its decision not to seek a 10th Block V submarine. Given the bipartisan outrage at the cuts, it appears likely that major changes to budget are in store. The letter protesting the cut sent to Navy Secretary Thomas Modly was drafted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and signed by the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed, (D-R.I)., and Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). [Connecticut is home to the Newport sub base.] Wicker has introduced legislation called the SHIPS Implementation Act, which proscribes a shipbuilding plan for the Navy. If passed, the Navy would be bound to procure 39 new ships over the next five fiscal years. (Source: Defense News 02/13/20) https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/02/13/the-us-navys-budget-looks-headed-for-the-congressional-shredder/

HII planning to increase UUV demand

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is restructuring its shipbuilding businesses to tap into the Navy’s demand for unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). The Navy will still be buying large-capital ships and amphibious warships that HII has built for decades. But, Navy’s appetite for UUVs is only going to grow, HII President/CEO Mike Petters, said at the firm’s Feb. 13 financial conference call. “You’re not going to see a hard-left turn” where the Navy is only wanting to buy unmanned ships, he continued. “I think what you’re going to see is an evolution.” With tightening government spending. and a shipbuilding budget squeezed by its submarine program, Petters said the evolution is occurring now. FY-21's request includes spending $288M on UUVs; and to buy 113 UUVs between now and FY-25. For HII, the Navy’s emerging focus represents a market that cannot be ignored, Petters told investors. “As their principal partner, we want to be right there with them and help them make that successful.” With a prospect of landing more UUV contracts, HII has sought to restructure its Technical Solutions business segment to include: A $350M deal to buy the Norwegian UUV maker Hydroid; It’s San Diego repair years would join a new maritime maintenance and repair consortium; and HII’s plan to sell its oil and natural gas engineering and field services business. In 2018, that segment reported $189M in sales and about 2 percent of HII’s $8.2B in sales for the year. The Hydroid buy is significant because it increases HII’s UUV footprint at the right time. The Navy plans to purchase 72 MK-18 UUVs, made by Hydroid, by 2025, according to the FY-21 Navy budget request. The deal is expected to close by the end of March. (Source: USNI News 02/13/20) https://news.usni.org/2020/02/13/huntington-ingalls-industries-planning-for-increased-u-s-navy-demand-for-uuvs

Navy getting serious about LSCs

WASHINGTON – The Navy is planning to kick off a five-year research, testing and design effort for its next generation of large surface combatant (LSC) in 2021, according to budget documents. The program is looking to install older, proven systems into a new hull design incorporating flexibility and growth capabilities for the future, according to Navy those same documents. The effort will be significant when they start decommissioning cruisers. The Navy is requesting $46.45M for FY-21, but funding is likely triple in 2022 and afterwards. The service asked for a request for information in 2019, but the FY-21 request is the first time the Navy has requested significant funds for its next generation of heavy warships. The Navy is beginning to develop system requirements for the program and a preliminary design, which should cap off with a requirement review in the second quarter. The process should begin to incorporate industry designs, which will head to a preliminary review by the third quarter of 2025. The Navy intends to start building the ships in the late 2020s, USNI News reported in January. Initially, the goal for the LSC is to use the systems designed for the DDG 51 Flight III Arleigh Burke Class destroyer – the Air and Missile Defense Radar, Aegis Baseline 10 – and install them on the new hull. (Source: Defense News 02/13/20) Gulf Coast Note: USS Jack H. Lucas (DG 125) is being constructed at HII-Pascagoula, Miss., and its commissioning is expected to 2023. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/02/13/the-us-navy-is-looking-to-get-serious-about-a-next-generation-large-surface-combatant/

Navy accepts delivery of LCS 22

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) on Feb. 12 during a ceremony at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Kansas City is the 21st Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered to the Navy and the 11th Independence variant - all built at Austal USA - to join the fleet. Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. It is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for later this year. “This is a tremendous day for the Navy and our country with the delivery of the future USS Kansas City,” said LCS Program Manager Capt. Mike Taylor. “I look forward to celebrating the commissioning of this great ship alongside the crew later this year.” Four additional Independence-variant ships are under construction at Austal USA: Oakland (LCS 24), Mobile (LCS 26), Savannah (LCS 28) and Canberra (LCS 30). Four additional ships are awaiting the start of construction. (Source: PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants 02/12/20)

CoE to deepen lower Miss. River

The Army Corps of Engineers FY 2020 work plan includes critical funding for infrastructure projects in Louisiana, including $85M to deepen the lower Mississippi River to 50 feet. A deeper Mississippi River channel will benefit ocean carriers, shippers, growers and manufacturers; and is essential to the Port of New Orleans’ competitiveness in the global economy, says Brandy Christian, Port of New Orleans president/CEO. (Source: Work Boat 02/12/20) https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/lower-mississippi-river-to-be-dredged-to-50/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0Raa1ltTXdZekl5TVdJMyIsInQiOiJhM2NwRzlSRnY4aE8zT3pJRU90S01Ha1wvRWczaTJMZlpWbGx2cWRMU1wvSzlTdGpjTDhBVzJQQ2tFTkd1eGNHeWs0VmVJdkhRa0dlRlBoWHVMa3hTQ1h2bnlEVU8zeUJEVitLQWZERjhqeTZ6R3BtVlZPTVwvWmF1WXdhbFRWRUV0RyJ9.

CoE: $274M for Port of Mobile

The Army Corps of Engineers has allocated $274M for the Port of Mobile, Ala., in its FY 2020 work plan, which officially provides the resources to dredge Alabama’s only port. The funding, which accounts for the full federal share of the project cost, will initiate and complete construction of the deepening and widening of the navigation channel. Following the required preliminary steps, construction is expected to begin at the end of 2020. (Source: Work Boat 02/12/20)

NOAA oceanographic ships' plan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Feb. 11 that it is in the process of acquiring two new oceanographic ships as part of the agency’s fleet rebuilding. Once in service, the new ships will support a variety of missions, ranging from general oceanographic research and exploration to marine life, climate and ocean ecosystem studies. The first ship, to be named Oceanographer, will be homeported in Honolulu. The second ship, to be named Discoverer, will be assigned a homeport at a future date. Design of the vessels is currently underway and NOAA expects to award contracts for construction by the end of the year. Both will be built in the U.S. and construction timelines and target launch dates for the vessels will be determined after the contracts have been awarded. (Source: Work Boat 02/13/20) https://www.workboat.com/news/government/noaa-to-build-two-new-oceanographic/?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0Raa1ltTXdZekl5TVdJMyIsInQiOiJhM2NwRzlSRnY4aE8zT3pJRU90S01Ha1wvRWczaTJMZlpWbGx2cWRMU1wvSzlTdGpjTDhBVzJQQ2tFTkd1eGNHeWs0VmVJdkhRa0dlRlBoWHVMa3hTQ1h2bnlEVU8zeUJEVitLQWZERjhqeTZ6R3BtVlZPTVwvWmF1WXdhbFRWRUV0RyJ9.

CG requests 2nd PSC, 3rd OPC

ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. Coast Guard plans to fully fund the second polar security cutter (PSC) and third offshore patrol cutter (OPC), according to its FY 2021 U.S. Department of Homeland Security budget requests. The CG overall is seeking $12.3B for FY-21, $77M more than enacted for FY-20. The budget requests $555M to fully fund the second PSC. The CG plans to procure a total of six PSCs to replace the service’s only operating heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star. The first PSC is being built by VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss. The budget also requests $15M for a multiyear service-life extension for Polar Star. $546M to construct the third OPC also provides for long-lead materials for a fourth. The 25 OPPCs planned will replace the service’s medium-endurance cutters. Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Fla., is building the first OPC with options for three more. The CG plans a gap in procurement of the Sentinel-class fast-response cutters (FRCs), with 37 delivered so far of a planned purchase of 58. However, the service is proposing $15M for program support and sustainment of the Sentinel class. The FRCs are replacing Island-class patrol boats. Bollinger Shipyard of Lockport, La., is building earlier FRCs. (Source: Seapower 02/12/20) Bollinger Shipyards delivered the 154-foot Edgar Culbertson, the 37th FRC to the CG on Feb. 6 in Key West, Fla. https://seapowermagazine.org/2021-coast-guard-budget-seeks-second-polar-security-cutter/

$12M Galliano firm's dredge pact

Crosby Dredging of Galliano, La., was awarded a $12,492,900 firm-fixed-price contract to dredge and remove approximately 1.3M cubic yards of shoal material from the Turning and Anchorage Basin in the Sabine Neches Waterway. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Port Arthur, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 11, 2020. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/12/20)

Waterfront pact for milcon projects

Lloyd Collins JV of Houston is awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, architect-engineering contract with a maximum amount of $15,000,000 for underwater and above water inspection, material condition assessment, engineering and design services in support of sustainment, restoration and modernization and military construction (milcon) at Department of Defense waterfront and ocean facilities at various locations. The work to be performed provides for architect-engineer services to include, but not limited to: field investigations, underwater inspections; engineering analysis of waterfront and ocean facility structural, mechanical and electrical systems and component conditions in comparison to design requirements, previous inspection reports and/or existing drawings of the facilities; review of construction plans and specifications of engineering features and related work associated with waterfront and ocean facility construction and repair; engineering calculations for structural analysis with or without previous design calculations; failure analysis and forensic engineering; waterfront and ocean facility engineering feasibility studies; design of facility repairs; preparation of design/build requests for proposals and invitation for bid contract plans and specifications; environmental studies in support of permit applications to federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; preparation of required permit documentation; design of underwater instrument and cable arrays, associated power and data cable installation and termination, including fiber optic elements; design of underwater instrument support structures and assemblies; design of termination junction boxes and support structures; design of underwater cable installation using horizontal direction drilling technology, including the establishment of directional drilling monitoring and response criteria to minimize environmental effects of directional drilling; documentation of findings and report preparation; cost estimation for waterfront and ocean facility rehabilitation; construction and installation schedules, development of maintenance action plans, underwater geotechnical and above water surveying. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities in various states to include Florida (28%); California (25%); Hawaii (25%); Texas (15%); Louisiana (5%); and Mississippi (2%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of February 2025. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Navy (O&M, N) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by O&M, N funds. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and Federal Business Opportunities website with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/12/20)

HII, Titan reach transaction

One the America’s largest fleet service and ship repair facilities is changing hands. Ship repair and commercial- and defense-related fabrication services provider Titan Acquisition Holdings announced on Feb. 12 it has reached a deal to acquire San Diego Shipyard from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter, is subject to customary closing conditions. (Source: Marine Link 02/12/20) https://www.marinelink.com/news/titan-acquires-hiis-san-diego-shipyard-475579?utm_source=MT-ENews-2020-02-12&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MT-ENews. Gulf Coast Note: In a media release from HII, the announcement takes a more specific tone. HII announced that its Technical Solutions business has entered into an agreement to contribute its San Diego Shipyard to Titan Acquisition Holdings, a company comprised of Vigor Industrial and MHI Holdings. Titan is controlled by majority owner, The Carlyle Group and Stellex Capital Management. Post-transaction, HII will hold a minority interest in Titan. (Source: HII 02/12/20) https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/huntington-ingalls-industries-to-partner-with-titan-acquisition-holdings-for-ship-repair

Update: Cruise ships & virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a new label - COVID-19 - on Feb. 11. It’s short for coronavirus disease 2019, because the illness was first detected tat the end of last year. The organization’s leader said the name did not refer to any people, places or animals associated with the virus in an effort to avoid stigma. Chinese officials said Feb. 12 that even as the death toll continued to rise, the infection rate has shown signs of slowing. Here are the latest updates and maps of where the virus has spread. But, public health experts are skeptical that China’s isolation of thousands of patients will contain the virus and worried those makeshift shelters for housing those with the illness pose additional risks. (NY Times 02/12/20) Shipping/Maritime Note: 174 Carnival Corporation's Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers tested positive for coronavirus on Feb. 12. The cruise ship has been quarantined in the Yokohama, Japan port since Feb. 4 with 3,711 people aboard. Princess Cruises, owned by Miami-based Carnival Corp., said they are working with the Japanese health ministry to disembark infected cruisers. 32 passengers are U.S. citizens. Another Carnival ship, Holland America Line’s Westerdam, which departed Hong Kong Feb. 1 with 2,257 people on board, has been floating at sea since Feb. 6, when Japan turned the ship away. The Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Guam have barred the ship from docking. Cambodia said Feb. 12 the ship will be allowed to dock in Sihanoukville on Feb. 13, and passengers allowed to disembark and travel home. (Source: Miami Herald 02/12/20) UPDATE: 14 Americans, who were evacuated from the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan Feb, 17 were found to have the new coronavirus shortly before they boarded a chartered flight to the U.S. American officials had initially said they wouldn’t allow infected people to board those flights from the ship, which has been quarantined for more than 10 days. The infected passengers were placed in a specialized isolation area of the plane, and all passengers will be quarantined upon reaching the U.S. Additionally, more than 1,000 passengers left another cruise ship in Cambodia over the weekend after assurances that the vessel was disease free. One of them later tested positive, leaving health officials scrambling to assess the scale of the problem. (NY Times 02/07/20)

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article240222592.html#storylink=cp