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NEWS | Aug. 23, 2024

TRFB Teams up with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

By MC2 Sarah Christoph TRFB

Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB) is just one of many integral elements that make up the well-oiled machine that is the United States Navy. These smaller elements are what makes the Navy reach its overarching goal of defending America. Like many machines, the smaller parts must work in tandem in order to accomplish a goal. When assistance is needed from one part within the U.S. Navy, another answers the call.

With round-the-clock work at TRFB, additional assistance was needed in order to accomplish a task within its timeline. Dustin Noah, TRFB’s Shipwright Supervisor, asked for assistance from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Portsmouth responded enthusiastically.

“Our task required a lot of paint preservation to get the ship back to sea,” said Noah. “Our shop, shop 64A, builds the scaffolding and blast containments for this work. TRFB did not have the proper manning to accomplish these tasks within the timeline provided by the command. We needed help, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard answered our request.”

There were two two-month-long phases needed in order to accomplish shop 64A’s goal. Portsmouth sent some of their employees and supervisors across the country to help support these phases.

“They came ready to work, and they have supported working lots of overtime, which provided a much-needed relief for our guys that have been working every single weekend this year,” said Noah. “The two Portsmouth Supervisors have been assisting Shop 64A Supervisors with job assignments, manning, advice, oversights, and planning.”

Although the Portsmouth workers who helped the shop are shipwrights as well, Noah noticed a difference in how TRFB operates in comparison with Portsmouth.

“Our shop learned that the Portsmouth shipwrights do not have as much responsibility as TRFB shipwrights,” said Noah. “Our shipwrights are responsible for sound damping tile work, hull insulation work, and blast containments.

Portsmouth shipwrights do not have to that kind of work. Portsmouth shipwrights than TRFB, and they travel to various shipyards to support projects, while Bangor shipwrights stay at Bangor.

Portsmouth shipwrights use a different type of scaffolding compared to TRFB scaffolding, but it’s similar and easy to understand and use.”

Despite the differences in the way the two shipyard’s shipwrights operate, the task was completed within the given timeline, thanks to the help of Portsmouth.

“With their help, everything was a success,” said Noah. “The experience TRFB had working with Portsmouth has been incredible!”