Why Can't We Talk About How We Can't Build Ships?

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It's a second week in a row with a solo show by our host Jim Vinoski!

Jim discusses the reluctance he has encountered repeatedly in his efforts to address the crisis in American shipbuilding. Despite significant declines—from 60% to 0.3% of global ocean-going shipbuilding capacity—and critical national security implications, many experts and high-ranking officials avoid the topic like the plague. Jim cites examples of ghosting and political pressures as some of the possible reasons for this silence. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing the issue, noting the U.S.'s current Navy strength, and the need for collaboration with allies.

Highlights:
00:00 - Shipbuilding Crisis in America: Introduction and Background
03:15 - Challenges in Engaging with Shipbuilding Experts
04:32 - Potential Reasons for the Reluctance to Discuss Shipbuilding
07:45 - Call to Action and Future Plans

Jim plans to explore potential solutions in future episodes, urging open dialogue to prevent a decline similar to Great Britain's fall from greatness.

Resources:
- Our show with Brent Sadler: https://youtu.be/vSkzceC7gJs
- John Konrad's gCaptain website: https://gcaptain.com/
Jim Vinoski's Forbes shipbuilding article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2025/11/28/can-america-recover-from-its-shipbuilding-crisis/