U.S. Fab Deliver Unique Maintenance and Mooring Barge

U.S. Fab, a Vigor Industrial company, has delivered the purpose-built vessel to Washington’s King County for the use of its passenger ferry fleet.

The 140’x40’x7’6” barge features moorage for up to four vessels and two steel structures, one that houses a well-equipped maintenance workshop and the other a two-story office and crew quarters.

“This was an interesting project that required teams to integrate two different building classification standards while maintaining optimal cost efficiencies,” explained Bryan Nichols, Sales and Marketing Manager for Vigor Industrial. The barge was designed by Glosten Associates to ABS and Coast Guard standards, while the structures were designed by CH2M Hill to non-marine, commercial construction standards.

U.S. Fab’s expert teams in Portland built the barge, pump house and all the below deck systems. Once the barge section was complete the vessel moved to Vigor’s Tacoma facility where experienced project managers worked with trusted subcontractors to construct and integrate the barge’s buildings. “The vessel came together efficiently and on-budget with the help of innovative planning and excellent subcontractors like Russell Construction and Squires Electric,” said Nichols.

The completed barge is moored at Pier 48 in Seattle, WA where it will be used to support the King County Ferry District’s passenger only vessels operating the West Seattle and Vashon Island Water Taxi ferry routes.

“Investing in the future of public transportation is a priority for our region and our citizens,” said Paul Brodeur, Director of King County’s Marine Division. “U.S. Fab has delivered a competitively bid, quality product that will help ensure our customers’ needs are met for many years to come.”