Blasters & Painters
Protecting What We Build
Blasters and painters work hand in hand. As a blaster, you’ll operate blast equipment to create a profile on a steel structure to allow coating treatments to adhere properly to the metal surfaces. As a painter, you’ll select and apply a diverse range of marine coating systems. These coatings protect steel and other surfaces from rust and corrosion, prevent marine life attachment on underwater surfaces, and enhance the ship’s overall appearance. In addition to modern paint techniques, you may work with power coating, non-skid and other special hull treatments.
What You'll Do
Work with primers, power coating, non-skid and other special hull treatments.
Mix and prepare parts and coatings according to specifications.
Collaborate with other trades to complete projects.
Help build the most powerful naval ships in the world.
Discover What it's Like to be in Blasting and Painting
Voices From the Yard
“Without paint, you get rust and other damage. Paint is extremely important to every hull because it is the preservation of the ship, but it also helps things look brand new.””
Zhane Gayles
Marine Painter
“I wanted stability and to be able start a family, and I’ve done both now.”
Brittany King
Marine Painter
“Someone let me know about a job fair, so I went and watched all of the videos they presented at the event. I plan on making a career here – I don’t want to leave the shipyard. ”
Nicholas Scarper
Nuclear Blaster
“There’s such a diverse group of people that work here – people just coming in out of high school, military retirees, older people like me – there are so many cultures here coming together.”
Mary “Frankie” Cupp
Painter
“Without paint, you get rust and other damage. Paint is extremely important to every hull because it is the preservation of the ship, but it also helps things look brand new.””
Zhane Gayles
Marine Painter
“I wanted stability and to be able start a family, and I’ve done both now.”
Brittany King
Marine Painter
“Someone let me know about a job fair, so I went and watched all of the videos they presented at the event. I plan on making a career here – I don’t want to leave the shipyard. ”
Nicholas Scarper
Nuclear Blaster
“There’s such a diverse group of people that work here – people just coming in out of high school, military retirees, older people like me – there are so many cultures here coming together.”
Mary “Frankie” Cupp
Painter
Shipbuilders in Action
