1423 Powhatan St., Suite 1
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone (703) 836-6727
Fax (703) 836-7491
Email: asnehq@navalengineers.org

 

ASNE is the leading professional engineering society for engineers, scientists and allied professionals who conceive, design, develop, test, construct, outfit, operate and maintain complex naval and maritime ships, submarines and aircraft and their associated systems and subsystems.  ASNE also serves the educators who train the professionals, researchers who develop related technology, and students who are preparing for the profession.  Society activities provide support for the U.S. Navy; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Marine Corps; U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Army.

ASNE is the seventh oldest technical society in the United States.  It was founded in 1888 by a group of naval engineering pioneers, most of them officers of the U.S. Navy's Engineering Corps, who sought a unified approach to their profession in order to make the most of new advances in technology. The purposes of ASNE are:           

  • to advance the knowledge and practice of naval engineering in public and private applications and operations,
  • to enhance the professionalism and well-being of members, and
  • to promote naval engineering as a career field.

For 125 years, the Society’s objectives have been strengthened and preserved to meet the changing needs of a time-honored profession. Today ASNE conducts a variety of technical meetings and symposia, publishes the highly regarded Naval Engineers Journal and a number of other technical proceedings and publications, and fosters professional development and technical information exchange through technical committees, local section activities and cooperative efforts with government organizations and other professional societies.

The Society's annual meeting, ASNE Day, is typically held in February of each year in the Washington, DC, area. The meeting features major addresses by high level industry and government leaders and panel discussions by leading members of the profession.  It also includes presentation and discussion of technical papers on a variety of timely naval engineering topics, presentation of the Society's prestigious annual awards and a large exposition with government and industry exhibits covering the full spectrum of naval engineering technology. ASNE Day is highlighted by the Society’s annual Honors Gala, attended by hundreds of executives and senior managers from both government and industry.

Our website is designed to not only serve our members, but also to support scholars, students and others interested in the varied field of naval engineering.  We welcome your suggestions on ways we can improve your experience. 

CDR Patrick J. Keenan, USN

Award: Claud A. Jones Award 

 2000 

CDR Patrick J. Keenan, USN

 

For his significant contribution to naval engineering as set forth in the following: 

Commander Keenan has consistently demonstrated exceptional fleet engineering expertise under the most demanding circumstances while serving as Officer in Charge of the Ship Repair Unit in Bahrain, including duties as Salvage Engineer and Drydocking/Heavy Lift Officer.  His extraordinary service to US Navy FIFTH Fleet ships has been repeatedly commended, and most vividly demonstrated by his critical leadership role in stabilizing and preparing the USS COLE (DDG 67) in Aden Harbor for transport after she was crippled by terrorist attack on 12 October 2000.

 

Within twelve hours of the devastating terrorist suicide attack, Commander Keenan arrived on-site to execute the critically important work of stabilizing USS COLE.  He worked tirelessly for 24 days on site as technical leader for urgent damage control measures and for all towing and docking matters. He was the central point for coordination and planning with the ship and supporting agencies and the critical point for resolving USS COLE flooding issues.  He conducted initial, above-water survey, and initial SCUBA inspection below the waterline and reported findings, along with the critical recommendation to engage M/V BLUE MARLIN for heavy lift.  

 

Commander Keenan’s extraordinary service in the aftermath of the attack on USS COLE may well have saved the ship from sinking.  His comprehensive knowledge and application of naval engineering principles and practices led to rapid and accurate decision-making, full utilization of on-site resources, and the judicious call for assistance from a range of sources, including the innovative use of M/V BLUE MARLIN to provide heavy lift.  His personal efforts gave the country, and in particular, those who serve, a sense of control over even the most tragic events, a sense of security in knowing that we were not defeated but united, and our resolve redoubled in the face of monumental misfortune.  His exemplary performance in everything from stabilizing USS COLE and preparing her for the journey home, to his personal involvement in the gruesome task of recovering the USS COLE crew members who perished, serve the broader goal of instilling confidence in the United States, and promoting our presence to stabilize the world’s most troubled regions.

 

Commander Keenan is the epitome of the Engineering Duty Officer community and a tribute to Fleet Engineers throughout the Navy.  He is most deserving of the Claud A Jones Award for 2000.