ALCOAST 359/17 - DEC 2017 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2017 NAVAL ENGINEERING LUCAS PLAQUE (ASHORE) AWARD

R 201527 DEC 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-4//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 359/17
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2017 NAVAL ENGINEERING LUCAS PLAQUE (ASHORE) AWARD
1. I am pleased to announce the recipient of the 2017 Naval Engineering Lucas Plaque
(Ashore) award is the Coast Guard Yard (CG Yard) in recognition of their outstanding
contributions to the Naval Engineering program. As in years past, the quality of
candidates was incredible and highlighted how the Naval Engineering workforce is
vital to our service’s ability to conduct surface operations. The CG Yard was selected
based on naval engineering accomplishments, service-wide improvements, supporting
operational readiness, and the professional development of naval engineers.
2. Throughout 2017, the CG Yard expended over 750,000 labor hours in the completion
of thirteen 87’ WPBs through the Recurring Depot Availability Program (RDAP), two
225’ WLB Midlife Maintenance Availabilities (MMA), two 140’ WTGB Service Life
Extensions (SLEP), EAGLE SLEP, a NOAA ship dockside, and initiation of the first SLEP
for NAVY YP training vessels; projects totaling over $100 million in labor and
materials. Through these projects, CG Yard productivity increased 4% over the
previous five year average, adding 30,000 labor hours to waterfront production.
This tremendous efficiency improvement equated to approximately $2 million in savings
for cutter repairs and drove a 4% labor rate reduction. This was the first labor rate
reduction in 11 years, one with a projected savings of an additional $4.6 million for
CG Yard customers over the next two years. The 87’ RDAP initiative increased the
operational reliability of post-RDAP WPBs. The unique crew swap process saved
approximately $2 million and returned nearly 500 days to Operational Commanders in
the last 12 months. Demonstrating great dedication to fleet readiness, CG Yard teams
deployed on over 80 missions to areas of international strategic importance including
Panama, Guam, and Bahrain. The CG Yard also excelled in the development of Naval
Engineers. The CG Yard workshops led the hands on training of CG Port Engineers in the
areas of coating applications, dry docking, and weld inspections to support high value
depot maintenance repairs across the fleet. To train the CG’s future engineers, the
CG Yard hosted 25 Coast Guard Academy Cadets for eight, one-week internships to
experience hands-on trade work and shipyard management. Lastly, the CG Yard established
a new in-house welding school to provide tradesmen with over 50 American Welding
Society certifications and increase CG Yard quality and efficiency.
3. Questions regarding the Lucas Plaque (Ashore) Award may be directed to LCDR Lucas
Marino, COMDT (CG-452) at 202-475-5719 or via email at Lucas.C.Marino@uscg.mil.
4. RDML M. W. Bouboulis, Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics, sends.
5. Internet release authorized.