SEP17-08: Joint High Speed Vessel Program Receives Safety Excellence Award
From Team Ships Public Affairs
WASHINGTON -- Undersecretary of the Navy Robert Work recognized Program Executive Office (PEO) Ship's Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program as a 2009 Department of the Navy Safety Excellence Award (Field of Acquisition) recipient during a Sept. 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The Excellence Awards are considered to be the Department of the Navy's most prestigious safety awards. Representatives from the Strategic and Theater Sealift Office of PEO Ships were on hand to receive the award, a plaque, and has the privilege of flying the Secretary of the Navy's safety flag for the next year.
"On behalf of the entire program, it is an honor to receive this award," said Capt. George Sutton, the Strategic and Theater Sealift Office program manager. "Shipbuilding is a difficult, sometimes dangerous endeavor, so it's vital to keep a 'mission first, safety always' attitude."
The JHSV program's collaborative design effort among the Navy, Military Sealift Command, Marine Corps, Army, American Bureau of Shipping, and industry was one of the main factors involved in earning this award. Other factors include the program's use of non-developmental and proven commercial technology, incorporation of lessons learned by international partners with experience in high speed ferry design, and the use of innovative and best contracting practices to overcome inherent risks and acquisition obstacles. These practices will ultimately result in a more efficiently constructed and safer vessel.
The JHSV program is procuring high-speed transport vessels for the Army and the Navy. These vessels will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. JHSV is a commercial-design, non-combatant transport vessel, and does not require the development of any new technology.The program is designed to leverage the Navy's ship buying expertise.
Construction on the first Joint High Speed Vessel will begin following a successful Production Readiness Review (PRR), scheduled for later this year. The JHSV PRR will be a review of design maturity, availability of materials and components, and the shipbuilder's readiness to successfully start fabrication. The first Army JHSV vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2011, and the Navy's first vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2012.
PEO Ships manages the design and construction of 11 major ship classes and a wide range of small boats and craft. NAVSEA is charged with developing, delivering and maintaining ships and systems on time, on cost for the U.S. Navy.