Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Christian Victor Bautista | Barge Maintenance and Environmental Workboat Crew (Code 900F.44) for 30 years. They...... read more read more
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) has had a Barge Maintenance and Environmental Workboat Crew (Code 900F.44) for 30 years. They are responsible for emergency response to various waterborne spills and retrieving debris from NNSY’s four miles of shoreline. Additionally, they aid production efforts by getting barges into the water.
“The team’s dedication to our primary mission of spill response is vital, but it is their commitment to collateral duties that truly sets them apart,” said Code 900F.44 NNSY Director Small Boats and Barges David Ellison. “From providing essential water taxi services to removing 2,500 lbs. of debris and supporting the Oyster Revitalization program in 2025, they have proven to be excellent stewards of the Elizabeth River.”
Ellison continued, “By keeping our waterfront clear of hazards and minimizing our ecological footprint, they maintain the public’s trust and directly support our mission to modernize the Mid-Atlantic Fleet.”
The crew members are NNSY Environmental Workboat Supervisor Bryan Dennis, NNSY Environmental Workboat Maintenance Supervisor Dave Benns, NNSY Environmental Workboat Maintenance Mechanic Jim Benns, NNSY Environmental Workboat Operator Jubar Mills, NNSY Environmental Workboat Operator Robert Manning, NNSY Environmental Workboat Operator Maurice Joyner, and NNSY Environmental Workboat Operator David Jones.
“First thing, we come in and have our daily safety brief and talk about the weather and tides for the day,” said Dennis. “Next, we assign captains to the boats with the crew.”
Dennis continued, “Usually around 7-7:30 a.m. we head to the boats to do morning checks and after all clear, we go out and open any wet slips that need to be opened for barge swaps and the day after that we ride around and look for debris in the water.”
The workboat crews make sure that NNSY is compliant with environmental regulations and watches for debris and other potential hazards while working along the NNSY shoreline.
“As the Emergency Spill Response Coordinator for Regulatory Affairs (Code 106.33), the workboats are a big part of how we protect the shipyard’s waterfront,” said NNSY Emergency Spill Response Coordinator Richard McCadden.
“They are our spill response crew on the water,” said McCadden. “When something happens along the piers or in the river, they’re the ones who quickly get boom in the water, recover product, and stop pollution before it spreads.”
McCadden has a great partnership with the workboat crews. He trusts the team’s experience and knowledge when it comes to their ability to safely maneuver around ships, piers, and tight spaces.
“At the end of the day, we all share the same goal — supporting the fleet while protecting the water we work on every day,” said McCadden.
The crew works eight hours a day and adjusts their time to the needs of the shipyard, helping to support the mission while maintaining good stewardship of the local environment.
“Our work is crucial to Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the local waterways,” said Dennis.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2026 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 561824 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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