Latest news with #Mayport-based
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BAE Systems launches $250 million state-of-the-art shiplift and land level facility in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) unveiled its new shiplift and land level repair complex during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company's Jacksonville, Florida shipyard. This marks a significant milestone in the $250 million investment to transform its ship repair capabilities and solidify its role as a key partner to the U.S. Navy and commercial maritime industry. The ceremony brought together approximately 500 attendees, including BAE Systems employees, subcontractors, Navy personnel, shipyard neighbors, local community members, and other distinguished guests, including Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby and BAE Systems, Inc. President and CEO Tom Arseneault. "Today marks an important milestone as we celebrate the completion of a world-class ship repair facility upgrade here in Florida. The introduction of our new shiplift and land level repair facility represents more than just progress for BAE Systems Ship Repair—it reflects a shared commitment to innovation, growth and collaboration," Arseneault said. "Together with the United States Navy, and other key industry partners that depend on this port, we are building a stronger foundation for the future, to help maintain our maritime superiority." The shiplift and land level repair complex will support the maintenance and repair of Mayport-based Navy vessels and commercial ships sailing into the Port of Jacksonville. With the capacity to lift ships displacing up to 25,000 tons and accommodate multiple vessels for maintenance simultaneously ashore, the new complex expands the shipyard's capabilities threefold. BAE Systems' new facility will significantly enhance production efficiency, strengthen regional maritime capabilities, and advance environmental stewardship. Its completion represents the company's long-term initiative to bolster support for the U.S. Navy while also accommodating a broader range of commercial vessels at competitive scales. "From my vantage point, this shiplift and land level facility is contributing to the national movement that is making America safer and more secure," said Admiral Kilby. "It's a necessary element to forging a defense industrial base able to support, sustain and generate our fleet." The project, together with Pearlson Shiplift Corporation, Foth Engineering, and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., replaces an 80-year-old drydock that had reached the end of its lifecycle. The state-of-the-art shiplift system's platform spans 492 feet by 110 feet, offering a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional drydocks. It will be one of the ten largest shiplift systems in the world and the largest in the Americas. The first vessel lift in the facility is anticipated later this month. BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair, maintenance, and modernization services to the U.S. Navy's fleet of combatant ships in their homeports; refit and hauling services for commercial and privately held vessels; and fabrication services for the submarine industrial base. The company operates three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia, and offers a highly skilled, experienced workforce; a large team of suppliers and subcontractors; seven dry docks and railways; and significant pier space and ship support services. For more information, please contact: Karl Johnson, BAE SystemsMobile: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Naval Station Mayport honors 37 killed aboard USS Stark 38 years after attack
It has now been 38 years since 37 sailors were killed in an attack on the Mayport-based USS Stark in 1987. The US Navy says the ship was on patrol in the Arabian Gulf when it was hit by two Iraqi missiles. Naval Station Mayport held a memorial at the base Friday in honor of the service members who died. Family, friends, and others who survived the attack were there to salute their service. 'Like rats inside a can, we were all trying to get out, we were all just trying to escape,' said Gill Berrios, a signalman, second class who survived the attack on the USS Stark, 'I was about 20 yards from the first missile that came right through our berthing compartment. The only reason I'm here is because it didn't explode.' >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The US Navy Museum has a list of all of the sailors who died in the attack. Two of them were from Jacksonville. Local leaders from around Duval County came to Naval Station Mayport to see the service, including school board members, the three mayors from the beaches, and Mayor Donna Deegan. 'While decades separate the service of the USS Stark crew, the mission is the same: to prevent larger conflicts that could put the lives of millions in jeopardy,' Mayor Deegan said during the ceremony. Naval Station Mayport says the USS Stark was decommissioned at Mayport in 1999, 12 years after the attack in the Arabian Gulf. The base holds memorials honoring the lives of the sailors every year, featuring stories and salutes from those who survived. This was the first time Berrios had gone to one of the memorials. He wishes he could still stand with his fellow sailors, but is proud to salute them. 'They're definitely helping us not forget and remember the sacrifices they made, we all made, the families made,' said Berrios. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Navy reservist who formerly served on Jacksonville ship charged with bribery
A Navy reservist, who according to legal documents previously served on the Naval Station Mayport-based USS Carney, is now facing a federal charge. A complaint was filed last week in federal court in Jacksonville, revealing that Raymond Andres Zumba is being charged with bribery of a public official. According to legal documents, Zumba allegedly attempted to bribe a former shipmate in Jacksonville to get fake Navy ID cards for Chinese immigrants. 'The individual who was to provide the information and the ID card to the immigrants is certainly someone who cannot be trusted internally within the Navy,' said Dale Carson, attorney and former FBI agent. Zumba allegedly said the ID cards were for 'immigration purposes to show that the Chinese buyers were married to servicemembers.' He arranged for the buyers to pay $3,500 for two ID cards according to the complaint. One is a Chinese-born naturalized U.S. citizen, and the other is a Chinese national who, as of Feb. 13th, lacked documentation to live in the U.S. Zumba talked to investigators after being detained and allegedly told them he'd thought the deal only paid for 'dead' cards, which didn't allow access onto the base. Because access to Navy bases is typically extremely restricted, Carson said this raises safety concerns. 'The individuals who were requesting the ID cards from the reservist, maybe individuals who were set to that task by the foreign government,' said Carson. 'That makes it potentially extremely dangerous. With technology today, drones, cameras all of those sorts of things can be used to supply other governments with information that could inversely affect us.' If Zumba is convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: DeSantis softens call for end to property taxes, floats other options to lower assessments Read: 'We owe that to the students': DA teacher scandals spur push for stiffer FL reporting requirements [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
