This September, we’re taking a closer look at shipyard lighting and the role it plays in supporting safer, more efficient nighttime operations. We’re also welcoming new team members in Virginia and Florida and sharing more of the people and partnerships helping strengthen the maritime industry.
Shipyard Lighting: A Critical Safety Investment as Night Shift Operations Expand
As shipyards across the United States work to increase throughput for Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command (MSC), MARAD, and commercial vessel programs, many facilities are expanding beyond traditional daytime operations. More work is being performed during second and third shifts, making adequate nighttime illumination increasingly important to safe and efficient operations.
While discussions about shipyard productivity often focus on labor availability, equipment capacity, and process improvements, lighting is a critical infrastructure component that directly impacts worker safety throughout the facility.
From dry docks and fabrication areas to crane operations, staging yards, warehouses, and vessel repair spaces, workers routinely perform complex and potentially hazardous tasks in low-light conditions. Proper illumination helps employees identify obstacles, equipment hazards, suspended loads, trip hazards, and workpiece details more effectively, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving overall situational awareness.
OSHA establishes minimum lighting requirements for shipyard environments to support workplace safety. However, lighting designers frequently utilize guidance from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) to evaluate whether lighting levels are appropriate for specific tasks and operating environments. These recommendations often target lighting levels that not only support safety but also enhance visibility for detailed work activities performed throughout shipyard facilities.
In partnership with Phoenix Lighting, JA Moody offers complimentary shipyard lighting assessments and photometric simulation studies designed to evaluate existing lighting conditions and identify opportunities for improvement.
Using advanced lighting simulation software and fixture photometric data, JA Moody can compare existing lighting conditions against applicable standards and recommended lighting practices. These studies provide facility managers, safety professionals, and maintenance teams with a visual understanding of current illumination levels and potential improvements.
In many cases, significant lighting improvements can be achieved without major infrastructure modifications. Modern LED fixtures often allow facilities to utilize existing mounting locations while delivering higher light output, improved uniformity, reduced glare, lower energy consumption, and reduced maintenance requirements compared to legacy lighting technologies.
While safety is the primary objective, improved lighting can also provide several operational benefits, including:
- Improved visibility for welding, fabrication, and maintenance activities
- Better illumination of crane travel paths and load handling areas
- Reduced shadows and dark spots in critical work zones
- Enhanced worker comfort during extended nighttime operations
- Reduced maintenance requirements through longer fixture life
- Lower energy consumption through high-efficiency LED technology
The accompanying simulation studies illustrate how modern lighting upgrades can improve illumination levels across a variety of shipyard applications, including floating dry docks, portal cranes, and high-mast yard lighting systems.
As shipyards continue expanding nighttime operations to meet growing vessel construction and repair demands, lighting should be viewed as a foundational safety investment that supports both the workforce and the mission.
Interested in evaluating the lighting performance of your facility? JA Moody and Phoenix Lighting can provide a complimentary lighting assessment and photometric simulation study to help identify opportunities for safer, more effective nighttime operations. Contact us here to learn more.
Welcome to the Team, Shawn and Michael!
Please join us in welcoming Shawn Ford to the Moody Marine Service – Virginia team as our new Warehouse Laborer.
After being brought in as a temporary hire, Shawn recently joined Moody Marine Service as an official employee to work in the warehouse. From sorting out parts to driving the forklift to assisting the technicians in the warehouse, Shawn has been a tremendous help.
We look forward to seeing how Shawn can grow within our company.
Please also join us in welcoming Michael Jarrell to the Moody Marine Service – Florida team as our new Electrical Lead Technician.
Michael brings 25 years of shipbuilding experience, along with extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise in the marine industry. He is excited to contribute to our mission of delivering quality service to our customers and projects.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife, Shae. We are excited to have Michael on board and look forward to the many contributions he will make to the team. Please take a moment to welcome him.
Celebrating Our Amazing Team
Great service starts with a great team. We believe in supporting a culture where people thrive—and today, we’re honored to recognize these incredible team members who’ve been a vital part of that vision:
Anniversaries:
- Keith Hitchner (13 years)
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!
To keep up with what JA Moody and Moody Marine Service are up to outside of our monthly newsletters, follow us on LinkedIn!