SUPSHIP Bath Change of Command Held

From Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Bath public affairs office

BATH, Maine (NNS) -- Capt. Michael Taylor relieved Capt. Robert Crowe as commanding officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP), Bath, during a ceremony today at Bath Waterfront Park.

As the 30th commanding officer, Taylor reports to SUPSHIP Bath after serving most recently as the test and evaluation director for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program Office.

Over the course of his 21-year career, he also served assignments with the Programming Division of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N80), the Arleigh Burke-class Program Office, and the Personnel Exchange Program in Ottawa, Canada.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he has also served aboard USS Anzio (CG 68). Taylor obtained dual master's degrees of naval engineer and mechanical engineering in 2000 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"I have full confidence that we've picked the right person for this critically important job," said Vice Adm. William Hilarides, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, during the event's keynote address. "Mike comes to us from the LCS Program Office...where he demonstrated that he's a leader who knows how to get the job done."

Following the change of command, Vice Adm. Hilarides, presented Crowe with a Legion of Merit Medal for his professional accomplishment since assuming command of SUPSHIP Bath in July 2011.

Crowe is retiring after a 27-year career serving the Navy. As the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, he oversaw the delivery of seven ships to the Navy, including one Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, three Lewis & Clark-class auxiliary support ships, one Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship, and two Mobile Landing Platforms.

"All told, Rob accepted delivery of seven ships across four classes and in three time zones during his three years as commander," said Hilarides.

He commended Crowe by adding, "Your ability to support the Navy of today, while looking forward and planning for the Navy of tomorrow has been superb."

SUPSHIP Bath is a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command. SUPSHIP Bath oversees the design and construction of five Navy ship classes at private shipyards in Bath, Maine, San Diego, California, Marinette, Wisconsin, and Anacortes, Washington.