NAVFAC Constructs Boathouse at Hellenic Naval Base Marathi

Photo By Joel Diller | NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (April 30, 2019) A Tension Fabric Structure (TFS) boathouse constructed on Hellenic Naval Base Marathi, Crete, Greece during April 2019. The boathouse provides shelter for the U.S. Navy’s boats and equipment that operate out of Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Brandon Meskimen)  

GREECE

06.17.2019

Story by Joel Diller 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (June 13, 2019) - Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) completed construction of a Tension Fabric Structure (TFS) boathouse located on Hellenic Naval Base Marathi, Crete, Greece during April 2019.

The project provides shelter for the U.S. Navy’s boats and equipment that operate out of Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, and provides administrative space for the Sailors to work.

"This project provides a cost-effective solution that increases our capability to support Fleet operations," said Capt. Ryan T. Tewell, NSA Souda Bay commanding officer. “It will provide unique opportunities for training and cooperation with partners like the Hellenic Navy and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center.”

NAVFAC EURAFSWA personnel oversaw the extensive construction work that took place to prepare the site so the buildings could be erected. Utilities, such as electricity and water, were installed at the site. A concrete driveway and pad were poured to support the boathouse and administrative building.

The U.S. Navy also relied on another key partner to help accomplish this project - the U.S. Air Force.

The project was bid out and awarded to the Michael M. Tsontos S.A. construction company, but U.S. Airmen assigned to the 435th Construction and Training Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, who are subject matter experts in TFS construction, provided assistance.

“The help we received from the Air Force 435 CTS has been tremendous,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan White, NSA Souda Bay public works officer. “Their expertise in working with TFS structures has made this project go along smoothly.”

U.S. Navy installations, such as NSA Souda Bay, rely heavily on key players such as NAVFAC to provide core backbone functions such as utilities, fuel, and water so that the installation can be a source of power used to maximize the combat capability of operational units.

NSA Souda Bay has been called a strategic location by U.S. military officials due to its position in the Mediterranean Sea and its central proximity to three combatant commands: U.S. European Command, U.S. African Command, and U.S. Central Command. It is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

NAVFAC EURAFSWA manages facility project planning and design, including all related acquisition, construction, leasing, environmental, maintenance, and contingency support required by the Navy and Department of Defense commands where the Navy is designated as the lead agent in Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Gulf of Guinea, Africa, and the Horn of Africa. Subordinate Public Works Departments provide facilities support service to each installation throughout the area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 06.17.2019
• Date Posted: 06.17.2019 08:44
• Story ID: 327834
• Location: GR