Collins, Hassan Join Chief of Naval Operations at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Kittery, ME — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) today to tour the ongoing construction projects, receive an update on the facilities and shipyard operations, and meet with the shipyard’s military and civilian leadership. 

“Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is the gold standard for all shipyards in this country due to its efficient, high-quality work for more than 200 years,” said Senator Collins. “What a pleasure it was to have CNO Gilday and Senator Hassan tour our wonderful shipyard today.  We saw the extraordinary work that is done here each and every day, as well as the important modernization projects and apprenticeship programs that are underway at PNSY.  We also met with many of the dedicated men and women who are working to keep our nation’s submarines at sea for years to come.”

“I was glad to have the opportunity to join CNO Gilday and Senator Collins to tour Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where we heard more about their efforts to modernize the Shipyard and maintain the readiness of our nuclear submarines,” Senator Hassan said. “The Shipyard has played a major role throughout our history in keeping Americans safe at home and abroad, and I will continue working across the aisle to ensure that it has the support it needs to complete its critical missions.”

As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins secured $503 million to continue the modernization of Dry Dock #1 at PNSY. Previously, Senator Collins helped secure $475 million for PNSY in the FY 22 appropriations bill, which also included language requiring at least 100 new apprentices at PNSY each year. Failure to modernize the dry dock would result in 20 deferred submarine maintenance availabilities through 2040, which would risk Navy submarines’ ability to perform their missions worldwide.

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