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.

Ominous submarine portents - Part 4: NCIS - USS Miami Sabotage Still Under Consideration

Conclusions drawn by M.E. from NCIS reward amount (Ominous submarine portents - Part 3) have been affirmed.

1. Sabotage has not been ruled out at this time.
2. Additional funds have been requested from Congress ($220 million more than the $400 million)

As reported July 20th by New London's theday.com: Investigators looking at subsequent small blaze, pulling of alarm nearby

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has not ruled out the possibility of a connection between the large blaze that severely damaged the USS Miami, a small fire that later broke out near the submarine and a fire alarm that was pulled.

NCIS spokesman Ed Buice said that while the ongoing investigation has not found evidence that suggests the three incidents are related, "that possibility cannot be eliminated at this time."'

The Navy has asked Congress to add $220 million to the operations and maintenance budget for emergent and unfunded ship repairs, which will be used to continue the repairs on the Miami.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Ominous submarine portents - Part 3: Hints from (NCIS) Reward Amounts

July 15, 2012 - KITTERY, Maine - NCIS offers reward for shipyard fire information
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in connection with a fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in June, according to a news report from WMUR. ... The small fire in the dry dock June 16 was quickly extinguished. The NCIS, according to WMUR, said it's also seeking information about a fire alarm activated in the same area June 19.

Reward Amount Comparison:

October 05, 2009 - (NCIS) Far East field office - NCIS Offers Cash Reward
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Far East field office wants to get the word out about rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people who commit or conspire to commit espionage. The rewards can run as high as $500,000. The program is designed to make the public aware that spies target Naval personnel, and that espionage is a real and dangerous threat.

April 21, 2007 - CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa - NCIS offers reward in Marine's Mugging
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information concerning the brutal beating of a 20-year-old Marine in an Okinawa City club district March 31.

Tentative Conclusions:

1. Espionage is probably NOT suspected in the earlier, catastrophic USS Miami (SSN-775) fire
2. Union (organized labor) dispute probably may be involved [e.g. overtime availibility, working condition dispute].
3. A personal issue (disgruntled employee, sailor) may now be suspected.
4. Arson still be suspected.

Former Speculation Updated:

Ominous submarine portents - Part 1

a) the cleaning subcontract had been awarded to minority-owned company with political connections and little if any shipyard, much less submarine, experience; or,

b) one of the last persons operating the vacuum at the time and in the space of the fire's inception was a minority, an arsonist, an agent of an unfriendly government with a point to make, or an Islamist fascist, whom the government has been habitually loath to identify as such but eager to say "acted alone".

Submarines are always silent and strange.