NSSA Improves Quality of the Fleet Through Critical Coatings Course

NORFOLK, Va. -- (NNS) -- A Critical Coat Checkpoint class wrapped up at Norfolk Ship Support Activity's (NSSAs) Building LF-18 in Norfolk, Va., March 29.

The weeklong training class serves as a refresher course for Ship Building Specialists (SBSs) and Quality Assurance Specialists (QASs) who focus on paint specific work while on board ships during maintenance and availabilities.

"This is going to serve to fill the gap between their initial NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Certification (NBPI), which lasts four years before they must recertify," said Jayne Berrios, NSSA training specialist.

"The goal is to have our own checkpoint two years after the NBPI certification, to reassure the SBSs and QASs still know what they need to know. We will use lessons learned, from on the job, to help get them back up to speed with anything they may have forgotten," said Berrios.

NSSA's Quality Assurance, Training, and Engineering Departments teamed up with the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) and other private sector organizations to form the course curriculum and specify its objectives according to NAVSEA standard Item 009-32, which lays out the guidelines for critical coating and non-skid application to naval ships.

"What we are trying to do is take the book knowledge and what is in the 009-32 and break it down into simple pieces that are easy to understand," said Lee Perry, NSSA's training division head. "We have two days where they are working on visual measurements, taking paint readings, and blasting and painting themselves."

Terry New, regional coordinator of Rapid Deployable Systems, has volunteered his time as an assistant instructor for the course. He helps oversee the hands-on portion of the class as the SBSs and QASs hone their skills on critical coat mock-ups, which display both proper and improper paint techniques.

"The mock-ups provide all of the different shapes that you would find in a tank or on the ship. These are the same panels we use to certify our painters," said New. "They have to come back, inspect this (critical coat mock-up) and take readings to make sure all paint is within specifications as part of their performance assessment."

As a part of the course, students get a chance to visit Vanwin Coatings, a blasting and painting facility specializing in Navy ship coatings, to observe work being performed to industry standard. They then get to put their own skills to the test.

The SBSs and QASs complete a written test, which makes up 60 percent of their grade, and then a hands on portion of the course, which accounts for the other 40 percent. In total, they must achieve an 80 percent or higher to be deemed fit to continue inspecting Navy vessels.

"Since I have been here, more of the high visibility quality assurance we have received has been in critical coat and particularly, in non-skid. That gets a lot of visibility because it is generally an expensive piece of work, especially when you are working on a flight deck," said NSSA's Commanding Officer Capt. William Galinis, during an address to the class on its final day.

"I am glad you all have had a chance to take this course. I appreciate you all coming in and taking the time to do this; it is important work," said Galinis.

This was the first full run of the course, following a three-day trial run that took place earlier this year. The course will continue to be offered once a month until all of NSSA's SBSs and QASs have had the opportunity to participate in the class.

For more information about Norfolk Ship Support Activity (NSSA), visit: https://www.nssa.nmci.navy.mil/