NCIS investigating death of civilian worker found unresponsive on USS George H.W. Bush

Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the death of a civilian worker found unresponsive aboard the USS George H.W. Bush earlier this month, a shipyard spokesperson said.

The employee, 44-year-old Reginald Collins, was found unresponsive around 2 p.m. Dec. 7 on the aircraft carrier as it was pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, said Chessie Bray, spokesperson for Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. Collins was later declared deceased.

Bray confirmed Collins was a Navy competent person working for Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Temporary Services Department.

A shipwide stand-down was held Dec. 8 “to address safety, grief and counseling options.” A second stand-down was held Dec. 11 when support options were made available for civilians working at the shipyard by the Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program.

According to Collins’ obituary, he worked as a pipefitter for Norfolk Naval Shipyard for 12 years. Prior to his time at the shipyard, he was a Navy sailor for six years.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com