Drones Simplify Roof Inspection 8 l 27 l 2018
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Flying high above the South Yard, Newport News Shipbuilding drones completed their first roof inspection within the shipyard gates on Aug. 21. Facilities used the drones to inspect the roof of Bldg. 6. The team observed the footage taken by the drone’s camera to determine the condition of the shingles. The outcome? A few missing and loose shingles that need to be replaced. In the near future, the team plans to use drones to complete building and crane inspections across the yard. All shipyard drones are operated by drone pilots licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Watch a highlights video of the roof inspection on MyNNS.
Lt. Christopher Cook, left, helps mount Clarence Wirsching's body cam. Photo by John Whalen
Security Debuts Body Cams Uniformed Newport News Shipbuilding Security officers now have a new tool to assist them as they patrol the shipyard – body cameras. The department introduced its first eight cameras in early August. “This is a positive for our officers and for all shipbuilders,” said Lt. Christopher Cook, who is administrator of the body camera system. “There are a lot of benefits.” The devices can act as a deterrent to aggressive encounters and help protect officers and other employees. They also provide an unbiased account of any event captured. In addition, the cameras can provide documentation of safety or security issues that officers encounter. For instance, officers have been using the cameras at the North Yard to document traffic issues at the end of first shift. The footage will be used to help develop ideas to
improve parking and transportation at NNS. Officers have several mounting options. The cameras must be activated by the officer to record events or encounters. Once recorded, videos can only be deleted by the system administrator and only at the approval of the chief of Security. Cook said there are procedures in place to delete or safeguard any videos of incidents that may be recorded in sensitive areas of NNS. Although there are only eight cameras currently in use, there are plans to expand that number as officers continue to test and become familiar with the equipment. “The officers who are wearing the cameras appreciate and understand how important they can be in helping them do their job,” Cook said.
Representatives from national nonprofits, businesses and local community college and school division officials recently gathered at Newport News Shipbuilding.
NNS Educational Partnerships on Display Career Pathways at Newport News Shipbuilding is a model for educational partnerships. That’s why representatives from national nonprofits, businesses and local community college, and school division officials converged at NNS earlier this month to learn more about the shipyard’s efforts. The event, sponsored by Rob Hogan, vice president of Manufacturing and Material Distribution, included officials from the National Education Association, the National School Board Association... CONTINUED ON PG 3