Info

The Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is a regional trade association representing companies engaged in, or supporting, the ship repair industry in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. Its mission is to focus and coordinate member resources on issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the ship repair industry in Virginia and across the nation. The Virginia Ship Repair Association had its origin in 1979. Corporate officers of the individual private sector shipyards in south Hampton Roads jointly established a training facility named the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute (TMTI). The Institute was incorporated in 1981 as a non-profit, tax exempt, educational institution (IRS 501(c)(3)). TMTI was founded to provide a training for the ship repair industry in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Today, TMTI is a subsidiary of the Virginia Ship Repair Association. In 1984, the same corporate shipyards, recognizing that there was a need for a regional association of ship repair yards to address other mutual concerns, organized and incorporated the Virginia Ship Repair Association, Inc. (VSRA) as a non-profit, tax exempt trade association (IRS 501(c)(6)). Membership was extended to include ship repair subcontractors, suppliers and support service companies. By early 2004, the association had grown to over 170 member companies from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as near-by states. In 2005, the name of the association was changed to the Virginia Ship Repair Association to better reflect the geography and business focus of its members. VSRA services its members:1. By making their concerns known to various federal, state and local agencies;2. By providing information affecting the industry;3. By coordinating industry workforce development programs and member-driven training courses;4. By fostering the commercial welfare of its members. VSRA represents approximately 180 member companies whose combined businesses have an economic impact in the Hampton Roads area on: 30,000 jobs, $1.2 billion in annual sales and $941 million in employee earnings. VSRA Board of Directors meetings are held monthly followed by a lunch meeting with the general membership. The Chairman of the VSRA Board and the VSRA committee chairs report to the general membership at the monthly meeting. VSRA standing committees are:* Combat Systems * Quality Assurance / Standard Items* Contracts * Safety / Environmental Affairs* Communications / Website * Workers' Compensation* Human Resources * Workforce Development / Training* Membership * Physical SecurityThe VSRA Chairman of the Board appoints committee chairs. Member companies are strongly encouraged to participate in committee meetings and activities. Typically, committee members are men and women whose experience relates to the committees on which they serve; therefore, they bring a great deal of knowledge to the table to share with others. The committees meet monthly, work closely with various agencies, discuss mutual concerns, and recommend positions to the VSRA Board when appropriate. On a monthly basis, each VSRA company receives:- Minutes of the General Membership and Board of Directors meetings- Minutes of committee meetings- Training Opportunities- Shipyard Chronicle from the Shipbuilders Council of America- Other literature of general interestNew members once approved receive a printed membership roster and a copy of the association by-laws. Also, your company's name, address, phone & fax numbers, email & web addresses, a description of your business, and a point of contact for your company is listed within the VSRA web site @ www.VirginiaShip.org. Each member company electronically receives a VSRA membership roster, which is updated on a quarterly basis, or can obtain a roster 24 hours a day on the web site. To join VSRA, an application form must be submitted to the VSRA office, along with a one-time application fee of $250.00. Annual membership dues are based upon the membership category of the company. The Membership Categories are defined as:1. Large Ship Repairer (Annual Due - $8,000) - A ship repair company that:a. Performs substantial ship repair on a continuing basis as a prime contractor; andb. Is a facilitized shipyard which includes a pier or dry dock of 600 feet or greater in length in Virginia.