The Groton Bank Historical Association (GBHA) invites you to join them on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 2pm at the Monument House Museum located at Fort Griswold Park for a special presentation:
“Fort Griswold:Protecting the Past, Planning for the Future”
Henry Alves, Connecticut DEEP State Parks and Recreation Supervisor,who is now in charge of Fort Griswold, will discuss current and future projects at the fort and park, as well as the role that education brings to the facility.
Many thanks to the New London Maritime Society for posting this announcement regarding the 100th anniversary of Connecticut’s Naval Submarine Base New London and the Naval Submarine School:
“Connecticut Submarine Century is an opportunity for 2016 much like Connecticut Coast Guard Summer was for 2015. A stakeholder meeting will take place this Wednesday [January 27th]. It is an opportunity to learn about what’s in the works for ‘CT Sub Cen’ and see how you and your organization might collaborate. Please RSVP to Mayor Galbraith. [email protected].”
Here’s an article about the event published in the New London Day, December 27. 2015
Why Connecticut’s “Submarine Century” Matters
–by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy
This past August, during our annual family vacation on the shore, I took my six-year-old and three-year-old sons to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton. My kids, especially my older boy, marveled at the tight quarters of the Nautilus and had fun peering through the museum periscopes. I was extremely proud to be able to give them a better sense of their state’s maritime and military history, and to give them a window into how honored I feel to represent southeastern Connecticut.
Arguably, no product has been more closely associated with our state than the submarine. That’s why this year I’m so excited to celebrate our state’s “Submarine Century,” marking the 100th anniversary of Connecticut’s Naval Submarine Base New London and the Naval Submarine School. For me, though, celebrating our Submarine Century this year means more than just acknowledging our past; it’s about committing to the promising future of Connecticut manufacturing.
Back in April, I spent time working at Electric Boat, job shadowing the men and women who work on the subs day and night. I arrived in Groton at 6:30 on a Monday morning after my hour-plus ride from my home in Cheshire. Immediately, I underwent extensive safety training, and then spent the day working side-by-side with welders, electricians, and quality-control professionals. It’s one thing to sit in meetings talking about why this work is so important to our national security. But there’s nothing like standing side-by-side with the men and women who build and test the best submarines in the world to help you make that case.
Connecticut is going through a surge in advanced manufacturing. I saw it firsthand working on the sub, and I see it as I tour dozens of manufacturers across the state. This boost is incredibly encouraging. I’m working hard in the U.S. Senate to support it. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m pushing for maximum funding to keep producing two Virginia Class subs each year, and getting ready to ramp up for the replacement of the behemoth Ohio Class boats.
We just got some good wins on that front in next year’s federal budget. Also, as the leader of the Buy American movement, I recently passed legislation that will crack down on the Department of Defense’s ability to award military contracts to overseas companies instead of American firms. And we are winning more workforce training funding for Connecticut than ever before, thanks in part to the work of the southeastern Connecticut business community’s partnership with our community colleges.
When you’re in open water, you have a keen sense of where you’ve been, but your focus is always on what’s next. Connecticut’s Submarine Century celebration should follow that course – honor the past, and push us to work harder to secure our state’s maritime manufacturing future.
Senator Murphy, D. Conn, is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Connecticut’s Submarine Century runs from October 2015 to October 2016.
TRHP press release by Transition Team member Deborah Donovan
New London, CT: Seven potential operators for a proposed water taxi on the Thames River joined members of the Thames River Heritage Park (TRHP) Transition Team on January 13 at Crocker’s Boatyard in New London to view the Park’s recently acquired boats and to clarify questions regarding the planned operation. Mayor Marian Galbraith of the City of Groton, James Butler of the Southeastern CT Council of Governments (SECCOG), and Penny Parsekian, chair of the Transition Team Communications Committee welcomed the individuals representing boat operators from as far as New York, who are interested in responding to the Request for Proposal (RFP), which was issued by SECCOG in December. The hosts gave participants a brief overview of the park and plans for the water taxi. The operators raised a number of questions regarding the operation and the relationship expected between the TRHP, the State of CT, and the chosen operator. Following the presentation and discussion, participants examined the boats, which are currently stored at Crocker’s Boatyard, courtesy of owner Dave Crocker.
Mayor Galbraith was pleased with the turnout and the lively discussion of the taxi service and the organization’s boats, acquired from the US Navy at no cost. “This is exactly the kind of response we hoped for. The quality of the interested operators is terrific and the questions they asked were right on target and will help us proceed with this exciting project,” she said.
The RFP for operating the planned boat service is available on the web site of the SECCOG at www.seccog.org. SECCOG staff will be posting the questions and answers raised at today’s meeting on the web site for review by any potential respondents. Specifications on the boats are also available to interested bidders. Proposals are due by 4pm on February 15, 2016. For further information please contact James Butler at SECCOG at 860.889-2324, or [email protected].
Yesterday the Water Taxi subcommittee met with potential operators at Crocker’s Boat Yard for a pre-bid meeting to answer questions and make sure everyone was clear as to what were the parameters of the Water Taxi service.
Here’s a transcript from the meeting—the final document also has some 2014 photos (included here) to show prospective bidders what they’d be dealing with as far as docking and using the step boarding system. Subcommittee members report that some great prospects were in attendance, so we’re looking forward to receiving proposals!
Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi Service Operator
Request for Proposals Pre-Submittal Meeting
13 January 2016, Crocker’s Boat Yard, New London, CT
Questions and Answers
Q. Will a walkway over the Shaw’s Cove railroad bridge connecting downtown New London with Fort Trumbull be constructed as has been discussed?
A. The proposed water taxi service is not contingent on that walkway being extended; there are no known plans to have that project move forward in the near future.
Q. What is envisioned for the fare structure?
A. We have discussed this in concept, and would be interested in seeing a fare structure that encourages passengers to disembark and visit the sites as opposed to ride the water taxi all day; we are looking for respondents to propose a fare structure that they think is necessary to operate this service.
Q. What storage facilities are available at night?
A. The boats can be moored at the docks overnight; all other material and supplies must be stored off of the docks at a site to be provided by the operator.
Q. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the boats?
A. During the season when the boats are in operation, the selected operator will be responsible. The TRHP will be responsible for off-season maintenance.
Q. Will the selected operator have any input to the off-season maintenance of the boats?
A. The TRHP plans to work with the selected operator on what maintenance and when it is performed in the off-season.
Q. Before responding to the RFP, potential operators will need firm figures on the value of the boats for determining the insurance costs. When can these figures be made available?
A. A marine surveyor will be inspecting the boats tomorrow and will calculate these figures. These will be made available as soon as they are provided to TRHP.
Q. Are the boats specifications available for review?
A. These will be placed online at www.seccog.org with the responses to these questions.
Q. Where does the funding promised by the State stand?
A. The State of Connecticut General Assembly has committed $100,000 in each of the next two years, for a total of $200,000. An additional $750,000 in bond funds and grants have been applied for but not yet approved.
Q. Has any of the State’s $200,000 been expended yet, and if so, how much and for what?
A. None of the State’s $200,000 has been expended. Monies have been spent from $30,000 in funds provided by the City of Groton, Town of Groton, and City of New London, each of which have donated $10,000 toward the water taxi project. Expenditures to date will be posted online at www.seccog.org with the responses to these questions.
Q. How long have the boats been in storage?
A. The Navy had the boats in storage for ten years. The boats were constructed in 1986, but really never put into service with their engines only having 40 and 41 hours of service on them respectively.
Q. When will the marine survey report be available?
A. It is anticipated it will be completed and we will make it available to you in 7 – 10 days.
Q. What about operating in fog; will radar be considered for purchase by TRHP? The consensus of the prospective operators present was that radar will be required for these boats.
A. The TRHP will evaluate this recommendation and will consider the purchase of radar for the boats using TRHP funds.
Q. What is the operating capacity of the boats with full canvas up?
A. 44 passengers. It was noted that handicap accessibility is not being required/requested.
Q. When preparing a projected alternate budget for inclusion of the USS Nautilus Museum in the second and third year, should the operator include operation there on Tuesdays when the Nautilus Museum is closed?
A. No service to the Nautilus on Tuesdays should be planned for.
Q. How does the TRHP contemplate the boats being boarded?
A. The RFP states that the selected operator provide a set of steps to accommodate the height difference between the boat and the docks. See accompanying photos from 2014 demo project illustrating how the water taxi was boarded at the City of Groton dock.
Q. Will painting the boats in the off-season be the responsibility of the operator or the TRHP?
A. More than likely, the TRHP will assume responsibility for this.
Q. Is it the responsibility of the operator to fuel the boats?
A. Yes.
Q. Does the fueling have to be done at a specific location?
A. No. Where the boats are fueled and where the fuel is purchased from is up to the selected operator.
Q. The transom in the stern of one of the boats has a crack requiring repair. Who is responsible for that repair?
A. The TRHP. That repair is planned to be made before the boat is put in service.
Thanks to Rita Rivera and two talented volunteers from the Communications Committee, a display ad has been developed for the regional tourism magazines and brochures, including Mystic Country, to let everyone know that many fun things will be happening on and around the Thames River this coming summer. Here it is, hot off the presses.
We’ll now be able to use this ad in lots of places, including our website and Facebook page, to share our excitement over the park.
Thames River Heritage Park Foundation
P.O. Box 851
New London, CT 06320
Administration
(860) 444-4401 / Email
General Inquiries/Boat Operations
(860) 333-6706
Today is Monday, November 25, 2024 