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Research Funded for Marine Coatings Work, Safety

Monday, February 22, 2010

Studies related to coating work are among projects funded this year by the National Shipbuilding Research Program’s (NSRP) Executive Control Board (ECB). Each year, the NSRP ECB funds a portfolio of new research and development projects under the execution of the Ship Production Panels, to fulfill its core mission to reduce the costs associated with Navy shipbuilding and repair.

The panels often identify project opportunities that are not well suited for funding via the major project solicitation process, but that NSRP still considers important to the shipbuilding industry. The ECB annually selects the panel projects based on available funds and a project’s value to the industry. Typically, the ECB funds relatively small (less than $100K), short-term (12 months or less) projects. Evaluation criteria that the ECB uses include: proposal addresses topics covered in the Strategic Investment Plan; project results can be implemented to provide benefit to the industry; proposal has broad implementation plan; and proposed costs are reasonable.
 
Recently, the ECB selected 14 new research and development projects for awards totaling approximately $1.2 million. The following are descriptions of some of the recent awards relevant to the JPCL readership.

• “Analysis of Injuries & Fatalities in Shipbuilding Industry Associated with ‘Struck By,’ ‘Struck Against,’ or ‘Caught In’ Incidents” (Award: $23K)

Atlantic Marine is the project lead, and the purpose of the project is to develop a product to assist the shipbuilding and ship repair industry in reducing injuries and associated hazards resulting from contact with objects or equipment. Participating shipyards will develop criteria for consideration of best practices associated with controlling “Struck By,” “Struck Against,” and “Caught In” hazards. The project is under the Facilities, Tooling & Risk Management panel.

• “Safe Practice of Common Shipyard Rigging Equipment” (Award: $81K)

Under the Shipyard Production Process Technologies panel, this project will provide rigging equipment information including rated use, restrictions, guidelines, and pertinent standards and regulations by expanding the Rigging Lift Common Component Catalog (appendix to 2008 Panel Project: Rigging Planning Guide). The project is lead by GD NASSCO.

• “Study to Determine an Alternative Coatings System Environment Recorder” (Award: $92K)

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding–Newport News will lead this project, which is under the Surface Preparation & Coatings panel. The project’s objective is to evaluate and recommend a reliable, efficient, and cost effective alternative Coatings System Environment Recorder (i.e., “Data Logger”) in support of the Specification for Environment and Surface Contact Temperature Record System.

• “Study to Determine the Level of Salt Mitigation as Related to the Accuracy of the Measurement and Cost Benefits” (Award: $79K)

This project is under the Surface Preparation & Coatings panel and is led by Lydia Frenzel. The purpose is to determine the cost versus the benefits and evaluate risk assessment for a given level of salt mitigation.

• “The Cost of U.S. Navy Coatings QA/QC” (Award: $81K)

The goal of this project is to reduce the cost of shipbuilding and repair by investigating the cost of U.S. Navy Coatings QA/QC in accordance with NAVSEA Standard Items and its associated reference document requirements. Global Inspection Group will lead the project, which falls under the Surface Preparation & Coatings panel.

For more information on NSRP, the panels and the process for submitting a project, or current projects, visit www.nsrp.org.