KITTERY – The former commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard said a gag order imposed by the Navy two years ago could spell the end of the shipyard.

Capt. Bill McDonough said the Navy ordered all defense employees acting in their official capacity to keep quiet about base closure issues.

But McDonough said shipyard workers have the right as individuals to speak in support of the base and their jobs.

The Department of Defense plans to issue the next round of recommended base closures next May. The Kittery, Maine, shipyard employs nearly 4,600 civilians from Maine and New Hampshire.