Ship 015 bow.

Ship 015 has been skidded forward into its permanent build location in the Building Dock. It will remain there until it is ready to be launched.

The image to the right shows the bow section of Ship 015, which was recently completed in the Grand Block Shop and waits to be brought into the Paint Shop. When completed in Paint, it will be dock mounted in the Building Dock.

Keel Laying for Ship 016.

A keel laying event for Ship 016 was recently held. Following long held shipbuilding tradition, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks that support the vessel during construction before the first section of the ship was lowered into place. These coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels.

The small ceremony was conducted with representatives of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and OSG America. Manager Glenn Cumbest, Supervisor Debra Bliss, and welder Anthony Matthews placed the coins for Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The three employees were instrumental in an effort to reduce the yard’s weld defect rate. Through their expertise and hard work, the department reached the ultimate goal, zero, for the last twelve weeks.