Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Kittery Maine)
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Kittery, Maine) Relocation Information
Welcome to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charlott from navsea.navy.mil
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) is located in Kittery, Maine, and it is the oldest continuously operating US Navy shipyard. Established in 1800, the shipyard built early wooden ships, including the USS Washington. PNSY has played a role in US Naval development through the War of 1812 and beyond.
Beginning in WWI and rapidly expanding in WWII, the shipyard began constructing submarines. PNSY became the Navy’s center for submarine design and development during the Cold War, and the base built nuclear submarines until 1969, when construction ended.
Today, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s website states it safely overhauls, repairs, and modernizes the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, specifically Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines. While it no longer builds submarines, it’s now a critical lifecycle sustainment hub, and it supports fleet readiness by ensuring submarines remain deployable and technologically current.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
1. Where is Portsmouth Naval Shipyard actually located?
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Kittery, Maine, on Seavey Island. Despite the name, the base is not actually located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Rather, the shipyard is across from it.
2. How can I find housing near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
This base offers very limited, privatized family housing and arrival lodging. The majority of service members at PNSY choose to live off base in nearby neighborhoods using their BAH. Learn more about homes for sale and houses for rent in the off-base housing section.
3. Is Portsmouth Naval Shipyard open for public tours?
Public tours at PNSY are considered on a case-by-case basis, due to security reasons. There are off-base museums and memorials located in the Seacoast area that are open to the public.
4. What is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard STEM Outreach Program?
PNSY offers a STEM program to inspire and educate K-12 students in science, Technology, engineering, mathematics, and Navy STEM careers. Shipyard employees serve as volunteers for this program. The STEM program is not limited to service members’ families; it’s also open to the community.
5. What is the zip code for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Kittery, ME. The zip code for PNSY is 03904.
6. What is the BAH for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
The BAH for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ranges from $3,099 for E-1 to $4,617 for E-9 with dependents, and from $3,372 for O-1 to $5,445 for O-7 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Address
1 Walker Street
Kittery, ME 03904
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Kittery, Maine. It’s on Seavey Island and surrounded by the Piscataqua River. Neighboring cities and towns include Portsmouth, Eliot, and Kittery Point. The base is near Interstate 95, and many civilian commuters and travelers use this highway. For a day trip, Boston and Portland are each about an hour away.
Despite the surrounding area being a small, coastal town, it’s important to factor in traffic times for service members living off base and commuting to PNSY. Since the base is on an island, there are limited entry points, and that can cause congestion even for those who live nearby.
Nearby Bases
Pease Air National Guard Base
Arrival Lodging
Photo from ngis.dodlodging.net
Arrival lodging is limited at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. On-base lodging is provided through Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS) and Combined Bachelor's Quarters (CBQ). The NGIS website states that lodging consists of one two-story building with no elevator, and there are a total of nine suites.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Housing
While there is Unaccompanied Housing, or barracks, at PNSY for single service members, on-base housing is extremely limited. Almost all service members live off base.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Off-Base Housing
Photo by Durrace from Getty Images via Canva.com
For service members who live off base, there are many popular neighborhoods in nearby towns. Kittery is the closest town with the shortest commute. It’s a quiet, coastal area with convenient access to a livelier city nearby.
Housing styles vary depending on the neighborhood, but the area has a mix of single-family colonial-style homes, mid-century homes, and newer construction houses and townhomes. Kittery Point has a more coastal, scenic atmosphere, while Kittery Foreside is in historic downtown with walkability to nearby amenities. Portsmouth, NH, is the primary city nearby with restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
Base Search
Homes for sale near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Houses for rent near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a US-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Kittery, ME. Sample PNSY rates for zip code 03904:
- E-1 with dependents: $3,099
- E-1 without dependents: $2,367
- E-9 with dependents: $2,367
- E-9 without dependents: $3,504
- O-1 with dependents: $3,372
- O-1 without dependents: $2,877
- O-7 with dependents: $5,445
- O-7 without dependents: $4,536
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Area Weather and Climate
The surrounding area of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has classic New England weather. The coast influences the climate in the summers with mild temperatures; the highs typically reach the low 80s. With gradual cooling, the fall months have less humidity and comfortable weather.
Winters are windy, cold, and wet with regular snowfall. Coastal winds can bring chills in the teens and single digits. Nor’easters often bring wind and precipitation, and annual snowfall ranges between 45 and 65 inches. Spring’s temperatures vary drastically. It can be both warm and cool in the same week, and it’s often wet and cloudy this time of year.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Area Schools
There are no K-12 on-base schools at PNSY. School-aged children residing in Kittery, ME, attend schools within the Kittery School Department. Depending on the home address of the service member and their family, K-12 students may also attend schools within the Portsmouth School Department.
For families considering private education, Private School Review is a helpful resource for researching local options. Those interested in homeschooling should adhere to the regulations outlined on Maine’s Department of Education website. For more assistance and information on local schools, contact the PNSY School Liaison.
Support for Military and Families
The base offers support for service members and their families through the Navy MWR PNSY and the Fleet and Family Support Center Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, located in building 241.
On-base amenities include the Fletcher Fitness Center, movie nights, a wood hobby shop, two cafes, and a restaurant & bar. For families with children, there’s a Child Development Center (CDC), a youth center, and family childcare.
Things To Do Near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
- Market Square is in downtown Portsmouth. There are shops, restaurants, and events all within walking distance.
- Prescott Park is an outdoor waterfront area in downtown Portsmouth that hosts events and concerts.
- Fort Foster, Hampton Beach, and the Nubble Lighthouse are all nearby coastal outdoor spots to visit.
- The USS Albacore Museum has a historical information and exhibits on submarines.
- Peirce Island is a small, publicly owned island that locals and visitors use for outdoor recreation.
Base Address:
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Kittery
,
03904-0000