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Portland Shipyard News

29 Jan 2019

Ship Repair: Vigor Wins LCS-4 Drydocking Deal

Photo Credit: (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob I. Allison/Released)

The U.S. Navy awarded the contract to execute the Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) for the USS Coronado (LCS-4) to Vigor. Work will be performed at Vigor’s Portland shipyard.The award is the latest in a series of awards in Vigor’s growing Navy repair program and is Vigor’s first as prime contractor in the Littoral Combat Ship program. Other recent Vigor projects with the U.S. Navy include the execution of the Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) for the USS Kidd (DDG 100) at the Everett Naval Station and the DSRA for the USS Sampson (DDG 102) in Vigor’s Seattle…

06 Sep 2017

MARAD Awards $9.8 Mln to US Shipyards

© wi6995 / Adobe Stock

Aiming to support shipbuilding modernizations that will increase productivity and allow U.S. shipyards to compete more effectively in global markets, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded $9.8 million to 18 U.S. yards through its Small Shipyard Grant Program. “Small shipyards play a significant role in our country’s maritime sector, which contributes to our economy, security, and infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

28 Dec 2016

Innovative Boats: Marine News' Best of 2016

Image: Vard Marine

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

16 Jun 2016

Tidewater Christens 2 New Towboats

Photo: Tidewater Transportation and Terminals

The two newest inland river towboats in Tidewater Transportation and Terminals’ fleet, Granite Point and Ryan Point, were christened during a late afternoon ceremony Saturday, June 11 at Vancouver Landing in Vancouver, Wash. After Deacon Tim Dooley from Portland’s Holy Family Parish delivered a blessing, Patty Reed, wife of Bruce Reed, Tidewater’s Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and Diane Laya, wife of Marc Schwartz, Tidewater’s Maintenance and Engineering Manager…

04 Apr 2016

Interview: Frank Foti - President & CEO, Vigor Industrial

For nearly two decades, Frank Foti has led Vigor’s transformation from a single, struggling shipyard to a thriving, increasingly diversified industrial company with 2,500 employees, 12 locations and approximately $700 million in annual revenue. According to Vigor, Foti often describes his motivation in three words: “Industrial Jobs Matter.” Committed to improving long-term, family-wage job opportunities workers and their families and communities, Foti and his management team have, over time, has worked to strategically expand and diversify the company, investing in training facilities and infrastructure along the way. Also according to Vigor…

09 Sep 2014

Vigor: Frank(ly) Speaking

“My personal philosophy is I have to do two things: make money and make a difference. If you are doing one or the other it’s not enough for me.”  Frank Foti, CEO and Owner, Vigor Industrial

Frank Foti of Vigor Industrial has steadily embarked on a consolidation of the Pacific Northwest ship construction and repair industry. Starting in Portland in 1995 with about 50 employees, the ubiquitous owner of Vigor has built his business today to more than 2,000 employees in an ever-widening industrial group. During a recent visit to Seattle, he shared insights on his company and the market. “Vigor is a diversified marine and industrial fabricator and it is a ship repair specialist,” is how Frank Foti, the owner of Vigor Industrial for nearly 20 years, concisely describes his company.

05 Sep 2014

W&O Supplies Actuated Valve Solution for Vigorous

Image: W&O

The marine industry watched as the United States’ largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, was delivered to its final home at Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River in August. W&O is one of the partners that supported Vigor in this $40 million dollar project, by providing an actuated valve solution for the ballast system of the drydock. From design specification through initial commissioning, the W&O team has provided technical and product expertise for the Vigorous ballast system, utilizing SPACE Gate Valves, EIM Electric Actuators, reach rods and deck stands.

26 Aug 2014

The Vigorous: Investing in the Future

The largest floating drydock in the United States, the Vigorous, has arrived at Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard. What’s happening? Vigor Industrial’s new floating drydock, the Vigorous, is headed towards Portland. See our news release for details of arrival. What is the Vigorous? The Vigorous is the largest floating drydock in the United States. The Vigorous will be 300 feet longer and one and a half times the width of Vigor’s largest drydock, with more than three times the lifting capacity. What’s a floating drydock? A floating drydock is a U-shaped marine vessel used to service and build ships. Operators let water into the drydock through valves to submerge it, which allows ships to drive in and out of the drydock.

21 Aug 2014

US’ Largest Floating Drydock Heads to Portland

Image: Vigor

The country’s largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, is headed for Portland this weekend. The drydock, a piece of equipment used to lift vessels as large as cruise ships out of the water, is scheduled to arrive at the mouth of the Columbia Sunday. It will make its way up to Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River by Sunday evening or Monday morning, depending on weather and river traffic. Fully assembled, the drydock will be 960-feet long. However, it is currently in three parts, which are stacked aboard a 738-foot heavy lift ship for delivery.

21 Aug 2014

Country’s Largest Floating Drydock Coming to Portland

Image: depiction of new drydock, courtesy Vigor

The country’s largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, is headed for Portland this weekend. The drydock, a piece of equipment used to lift vessels as large as cruise ships out of the water, is scheduled to arrive at the mouth of the Columbia Sunday. It will make its way up to Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River by Sunday evening or Monday morning, depending on weather and river traffic. Fully assembled, the drydock will be 960-feet long. However, it is currently in three parts, which are stacked aboard a 738-foot heavy lift ship for delivery.

05 Oct 2012

Vigor Sets Its Sights on Growth

Vigor Industrial is a comprehensive marine services provider specializing in shipbuilding and ship repair. Three years ago, Vigor initiated an aggressive growth strategy that consolidated major shipyard facilities in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska under one umbrella, and more than doubled the size of its business, and leading a renaissance of the marine business on the U.S. West Coast. Over the next five years, Vigor has set its sights on an expansion plan that will double the current size of the company. In early 2012, Vigor Industrial acquired Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD).

18 May 2009

Cat Marine Engines Re-Power US Army Dredge

The US Army Corps of Engineers operates two hopper dredges on the west coast of the U.S. to keep shipping channels open. The largest and most modern of them is the Essayons, built by Bath Iron works in Bath, Maine in 1982. Its aging power plant has been replaced by eight state-of-the-art Cat marine engines totaling more than 15,000 kW. The 350 ft long Essayons is based in Portland, Oregon. Its annual schedule includes work in harbours between Alaska and California, as well as Hawaii.

20 Dec 2007

Cascade General Wins $9m Contract

Cascade General Portland Shipyard, Portland, Ore., is being awarded a $9,052,654 firm-fixed-price contract for a 70-day post shipyard availability (PSA) of Military Sealift Fleet Support Command's dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard to undergo a number of modifications that could not be economically accomplished under the ship construction contract. Naval Sea Systems PMS 325 provided funding for the alterations to be completed during the PSA. The ship’s primary mission is to operate as part of a carrier strike group, providing fuel, ammunition, and dry and refrigerated stores to support U.S. Navy ships at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $10,792,644.

29 Nov 2001

Crowley Secures Wayward Oil Tanker and Prevents Harm

Crowley Marine Services successfully secured the wayward oil tanker, Atigun Pass, Thanksgiving weekend as it drifted within 20 miles of Oregon’s coastline. The decommissioned Atigun Pass, similar to the Exxon Valdez in size at three football fields in length, was en route from a Portland shipyard to Shanghai, China, for scrapping when the towline from the Chinese tug that was towing it snapped. When the towline parted early November 19, the tanker was about 100 miles west of Tillamook. “The vessel contained more than 20,000 gallons of residual fuel oil, too thick and sticky to be pumped from its tank, and there was potential for a medium size spill and a costly wreck removal if it ran aground,” said Todd Busch, director, ship assists & escort services.

14 Dec 2001

Crowley Secures Wayward Oil Tanker

Crowley Marine Services successfully secured the wayward oil tanker, Atigun Pass, Thanksgiving weekend as it drifted within 20 miles of Oregon's pristine coastline. The decommissioned Atigun Pass, similar to the Exxon Valdez in size at three football fields in length, was en route from a Portland shipyard to Shanghai, China, for scrapping when the towline from the Chinese tug that was towing it snapped. When the towline parted early November 19, the tanker was about 100 miles west of Tillamook. "The vessel contained more than 20,000 gallons of residual fuel oil, too thick and sticky to be pumped from its tank, and there was potential for a medium size spill and a costly wreck removal if it ran aground," said Todd Busch, director, ship assists & escort services.

20 Feb 2001

U.S. Lines' MS Patriot Challenges Cascade General

Since 1999, when American Classic Voyages (AMCV) first announced its intention to construct two U.S.-flagged cruise ships that would be staffed by American officers and crew, the U.S. shipbuilding industry received a boost back into an area that it had not participated for almost 30 years — the cruise shipping market. Prior to the construction of the two vessels by Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, AMCV wanted to start making money right away — it purchased the 17-year-old ms Nieuw Amsterdam for $114.5 million from Holland America. AMCV then received an official notice from Congress that provided exemption from the Jones Act, thus allowing the U.S. Coast Guard to re-flag the foreign registered vessel.

06 Dec 2000

Generator Replacement Proves Cascade General Capabilities

Cascade General had its knowledge and expertise put to the test with the emergency replacement of a faulty generator on P&O's Sea Princess. Measuring 857 ft. (261.2 m), the vessel, which was built by Fincantieri in 1998, was in drydock at the Portland shipyard for approximately nine days in September. The project began on the vessel's exterior with the rigging crew building a 20-ft. loading platform on the drydock floor. Concurrently, work was completed inside the engine room to clear an exit path for the 47-ton GEC Alstom generator. Two of Sea Princess' four propulsion transformers at 20-tons each, were disconnected and moved aside, catwalks lifted and all wiring and piping blocking the exit route labeled and cut.

14 Jun 2002

Cascade General Completes Upgrades to M.V. Columbia

The 418 ft. ferry M.V. Columbia, owned by the State of Alaska, has returned to service on the Bellingham-Skagway run after a winter layover at Cascade General. The thirty-year old ship emerged from the Portland Shipyard with a re-designed restaurant and cafeteria, re-furbished car-deck doors, renovated solarium, and with a laundry conveyor/elevator installed above the car deck. Both food-service areas were re-built from the deck up, with new floors, carpets, booths, Gage ceilings, and designer lighting. The restaurant dining room features an 11 ft.-diameter dome light over a buffet counter, stainless steel case work, and an improved layout for the serving staff. The restaurant galley's cooking equipment was all upgraded, and now vents into a full-length Gaylord stainless steel hood.

28 Mar 2006

Passenger Vessel Freed

Armed with binoculars, telescopes and cameras, spectators on March 26 documented the play-by-play of the afternoon freeing of the cruise ship Empress of the North. Since the morning of March 24, the 360-foot sternwheeler was lodged into a Columbia River sandbar about 350 yards from the shores of Washougal. At 3:36 p.m. on March 26, two Coast Guard tugboats led the ship to the Cascade General Portland Shipyard on Swan Island, where the ship will be assessed for damage, OregonLive.com reported. For most of the weekend, the docks in this city of 10,100 were filled with people who had the same excuse -- nothing better to do. On March 25, crews emptied about 20,000 gallons of fuel to lighten the ship. The next day, they waited for high tide to dislodge the ship's bow from the sandbar.

05 Jan 2000

Cascade Signs Maintenance/Repair Agreement

Cascade General and Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) have signed an alliance agreement for the maintenance and repair of ATC's fleet of Alaska North Slope (ANS) tankers. The non-exclusive agreement commits ATC to sending a majority of its vessels to Cascade General's Portland Shipyard for drydocking over the next two years and also earmarks 50 percent of its voyage repairs to be performed by Cascade General outside of the shipyard at remote locations. Cascade has already performed several major overhauls for ATC in 1999, including biennial drydockings of the S/S Denali, Overseas Ohio and Overseas New York.

04 Jun 2001

Grand Bahama Shipyard Acquires Portland's Number Four Dry Dock

Grand Bahama Shipyard purchased the No. 4 Dry Dock from Portland Shipyard in Oregon. Measuring 984 x 228 ft. (300 x 69.5 m), the floating dock, which has a clear internal breadth of 185 ft. (56.5 m), was constructed in Japan in 1979 and has a lifting capacity of 82,500 metric tons. The dock, which is one of the largest floating docks in the world is fully equipped to provide services for all types of vessels, and is capable of docking cargo vessels up to 250,000 tons dwt and cruise vessels up to 150,000 tons grt. Expected to be operational at the shipyard in early 2002, the new dock will complement the existing panamax floating dock, which was installed in 2000. The latter, which has a lifting capacity of 30,000 tons and clear internal dimensions of 879 x 110 ft.

10 Jul 2001

Grand Bahama Shipyard Floating Dock Departs Cascade General

Grand Bahama Shipyard's Floating Dock No. two, known as the form Portland Floating Dock No. four, left the Cascade General Portland Shipyard in Oregon on Friday, July 6 to commence its five-and-a-half month tow to its new home at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. Measuring 984 x 2.296 ft. (300 x 700 m), the floating dock is capable of lifting 87,000 tons and is one of the largest in the western hemisphere able to accommodate vessels of up to 150,000 grt or 250,000 dwt. Via a marine management contract with Seaspan, the yard has chartered Global Towing Alliance Ocean Going Tug, De Yue. Measuring 299 ft. (91 m) with installed power of 20,800 bhp, De Yue provides a bollard pull of 200 tons from a twin-screw configuration.

16 Aug 2001

Grand Bahama Floating Dock Departs Cascade

Grand Bahama Shipyard's Floating Dock No. two, known as the former Portland Floating Dock No. four, left the Cascade General Portland Shipyard in Oregon on Friday, July 6 to commence its five-and-a-half month tow to its new home at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. Measuring 984 x 2.296 ft. (300 x 700 m), the floating dock is capable of lifting 87,000 tons and is one of the largest in the western hemisphere able to accommodate vessels of up to 150,000 grt or 250,000 dwt. Via a marine management contract with Seaspan, the yard has chartered Global Towing Alliance Ocean Going Tug, De Yue. Measuring 299 ft. (91 m) with installed power of 20,800 bhp, De Yue provides a bollard pull of 200 tons from a twin-screw configuration.

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