First BIW-built destroyer in two years heads to sea for testing
BIW Spokesman David Hench said at-sea trials, also called builder’s trials, are the shipyard’s chance to measure a vessel s performance and general seaworthiness.
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The future USS Daniel Inouye, a BIW-built Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, coasted down the Kennebec River Wednesday on its way to at-sea trials.
Kathleen O’Brien / The Times Record
BATH The future USS Daniel Inouye, Bath Iron Works’ 37th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, left the Bath shipyard Wednesday and cruised down the Kennebec River for its first at-sea trials.
More than 100 people gathered around Fort Popham, perched at the mouth of the Kennebec River in Phippsburg. Spectators waved at the $4 billion warship as it passed. The ship blasted its horn in greeting.
Bath Iron Works on Wednesday started sea trials on the future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), the first destroyer built at the shipyard to head down the Kennebec River in two years.
Sea trials, formally called builders trials, are conducted when shipbuilding has been completed and allow the customer in this case the U.S. Navy to see how a new vessel performs. This achievement is even more rewarding as it comes during a year of significant challenge for our shipyard and the entire country, Bath Iron Works said in a prepared statement. This accomplishment has been realized because of the fortitude and skill of our employees who worked together to make this important goal a reality.
Number of COVID-19 cases have jumped at Bath shipyard
The company has announced new COVID-19 cases nearly every day since Monday, Nov. 16. Since then, 66 workers have tested positive for COVID-19.
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BATH COVID-19 cases at Bath Iron Works, one of the state’s largest employers, have jumped this month as the shipyard works to recover from crippling delays worsened by a strike and the pandemic.
According to the company’s website, 84 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 since March. Of those, 59 cases have come from the main shipyard in Bath.
BIW, a subsidiary of aerospace and defense company General Dynamics, reported 38 employees have tested positive so far this month and 29 have tested positive in the past week. Those workers were last at work between Nov. 18 and Dec. 9.