Monday, July 23, 2012

Ominous submarine portents - Part 5: NCIS - USS Miami Arson

Now that NCIS has identified a confessed arsonist in the $400 ($660 Million and counting) USS Miami fire in a PNS drydock, taxpayers may have some tough questions to ask themselves.

Arrested suspect Casey James Fury, 24, was a civilian (unionized) employee working aboard the submarine as a painter and sandblaster (Shop 71P). Shop 71 tradesmen are not covered under The Department of the Navy drug testing as part of the Drug Free Workplace Program (DFWP), nor at the start of the program. Casey's full performance position did not meet criteria for "Testing Designated Position" (TDP). However, he was covered under the Navy's DFWP (Drug Free Workplace Program) and it was mandatory for continued employment that Casey refrain from using illegal drugs and to submit to drug testing.

Let's compare PNS to General Dynamics EB shipyard.
June 13, 2010 - General Dynamics Electric Boat hiring 450 new tradesmen:
Skilled workers must hold U.S. citizenship, be 18 years of age or older and pass both a hair follicle drug test and a comprehensive BCI be able to attain a Government Secret Clearance.

QUESTIONS:
1. Why the apparent drug testing disparity (relative leniency) at PNS versus EB?

2. Are taxpayers getting a raw deal from the government (PNS) shipyard?

3. Will PNS's commandant survive the investigation?

4. Would EB's top shipyard manager survive similar lapses of employment, safety and security policies?

Before considering answers to the rhetorical questions (1. - 4.), please consider the USS Miami fire has already raised PNS's collateral damage assessments and resulted in an added $220 Million request to Congress. Related cost escalations are probably not finished.
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

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