Commander, Submarine Forces Vice Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo, presented Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Afloat Safety Award for Atlantic Fleet Fast Attack Submarine.

The CNO Afloat Safety Award judges Navy vessels on what sets the ship apart from other command's safety programs in regards to statistics, proactive approaches made by the command and the safety program itself.

"With structural conditions aboard Albany continuously changing, the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) is emphasized on a daily basis," said Chief Electrician's Mate Trent Parrish, Albany safety officer and Breckenridge, Texas native. "Whether it's a crew member or a shipyard worker, if a safety issue is identified, it is immediately and aggressively corrected."

In addition to emphasizing PPE and situational awareness, Albany has lauded a highly effective Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) program in the shipyard environment through a rigorous training program coupled with close management by the boat's safety team.

"The HAZMAT program's efficiency has been improved by routine and unannounced audits performed by both the safety team and supervisors," said Parrish. "Albany's Hazardous Material Program was evaluated as above standards in the latest [Type Commander] Quarterly Integrated Logistic Overhaul Review."

While undergoing a multi-year engineering overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, Albany has remained mishap free during conducting major shipwide tests and complex evolutions in a hazardous industrial environment.

"It is my pleasure and an honor to accept the CNO Safety Award on behalf of the crew of USS Albany," said Cmdr. Wade Landis, Albany's commanding officer. "I am very proud of the crew as they continue to uphold high standards in both professionalism and safety while maintaining good morale in an extremely challenging shipyard environment."

"Albany receiving the CNO Afloat Safety award is a direct reflection [of] her Sailors owning a strong sense of professionalism and dedication to duty for the safety of their shipmates and their boat," said Capt. Paul S. Snodgrass, commander, Submarine Squadron 6. "This sense of ownership makes it no surprise that they standout and receive such high recognition of their ability to carry out their mission in a safe and productive manner. Albany's command leadership always puts the Sailors and families first. This award is a reflection of the ship's healthy command climate."

"Operational Risk Management is the cornerstone of Albany's daily process in conjunction with safety council meetings," said Parrish. "A daily review of shipwide safety is conducted by duty supervisors and roving watch standers, who identify deficiencies, note them and pass them to the appropriate supervisors to be rapidly resolved."

The award signifies Albany as having the best safety program of the Atlantic-based nuclear attack submarines for fiscal year 2015. Albany is now authorized to hoist a green safety "S" flag, as well as display the CNO Afloat Safety Award citation and a plaque aboard, show all she is the safest on the seas.

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