U.S. Department of Transportation officials have awarded Maritime Administration small shipyard grants totaling nearly $1.6 million to shipyards in Seward and Homer, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, announced on June 12.
A grant of $976,298 went to JAG Alaska Inc. for the Seward Shipyard, which is undergoing a capital improvement program after having its lease acquired by JAG Alaska. The grant will be used to provide hard surfaced, hydronically heated ship repair berths and new ship transfer carts to improve the safety and efficiency of the Seward Shipyard.
Northern Enterprises Boat Yard in Homer received $604,053 in grant fund for use I procuring a boat lift capable of hauling bigger and wider vessels, to expand the number of maritime customers they are able to accommodate.
“In many ways, our shipyards are Alaska’s gateway to global commerce and opportunity, and it is critical that they are properly maintained, high-functioning, and safe,” Young said.
The Alaska Republican said he advocated for both projects and was pleased to have supported reauthorization of the Small shipyard Grant Program during passage of last year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
