EVERETT — Two shipyards in Snohomish and Skagit counties received a combined $1.3 million in federal grants to upgrade equipment, improve facilities and train workers, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced.
The awards to Everett Ship Repair LLC and Rozema’s Boat Works Inc. form part of $5.2 million distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to six Washington shipyards under the fiscal year 2026 Small Shipyard Grant Program. Nationally, MARAD awarded $35.18 million to 45 shipyards across 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We greatly appreciate the award from MARAD, as well as the Congressman and the Senators’ support in receiving this grant,” said Gavin Higgins, CEO of Everett Ship Repair. “We think the Small Shipyard Grant Program is one of the best programs for supporting our shipyards that’s out there. This grant will allow us to greatly improve the cost efficiency of our new drydock and expand the opportunity for the vessels that we will be servicing on it. The grant will also support electrical training, a much underserviced trade in the marine industry, and will help to expand the resource pool accordingly.”
Everett Ship Repair, based at the Port of Everett, received $456,216 for electrical upgrades supporting a new 35,000-ton floating drydock and for training staff in shipyard production processes. The drydock, known as Hercules and described as the largest in Puget Sound, is an 820-foot facility that expands capacity for larger vessels, including those associated with Naval Station Everett.
Rozema’s Boat Works in Mount Vernon received $938,176 for metal fabrication equipment, including a MultiCam 5-410-R-H CNC router table and a 230-ton CNC press brake.
“The maritime economy and the jobs that come with it are alive and well in the Puget Sound,” Rep. Larsen said in a statement. “As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have been a strong advocate for the Small Shipyards Grants Program because funding like this supports local small businesses and helps regional economies grow. I am glad to see these dollars come home and I look forward to seeing them in action in Snohomish and Skagit counties in the years to come.”
The remaining Washington awards went to:
- Safe Boats International LLC of Bremerton, $321,474 for an aluminum welding and fabrication training program and 17 welding machines.
- Arrow Launch Service Inc. of Port Angeles, $750,000 for a 75-ton travelift.
- BRIX Marine Inc. of Port Angeles, $1,259,190 for four 10-ton remote-controlled overhead cranes with hoists and runways.
- Delta Marine Industries Inc. of Seattle, $1,508,596 for a 620-ton travelift.
The Small Shipyard Grant Program supports capital improvements, equipment upgrades and employee training at facilities with fewer than 1,200 production employees. Grants cover up to 75% of project costs and aim to boost efficiency, competitiveness and workforce skills in ship construction, repair and related industries.
Author: Mario Lotmore
