Article Category: Shipyards

We reached out to many of the West Coast’s most notable shipyards to bring you the relevant shipyard dock talk that makes this industry’s world go ‘round. The famous Greek historian Herodotus is credited with saying, “The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.” Surely, Herodotus was talking to the working commercial fisherman about the importance of shipyard dock talk. The comings and goings of notable boats, repowers and refits (and regrets), dredging delays, infrastructure grants won, and the like is not idle trivia. One-part gossip, four parts pertinent business information, shipyard dock talk is still the best way for commercial fishermen and professional mariners to maintain the pulse of the scene. It’s in the spirit of spreading useful dock talk that the follow...

Busy West Coast shipyards are expanding their capacity and capabilities, making investments in their drydocks and marine lifts not just to enhance services in the markets in which they’re already established, but to grow into new markets, as well. Newer players such as Everett Ship Repair have found success meeting demand for dry docking large vessels in the Puget Sound, while established shipyards like Commodore’s Boats in British Columbia continue to leverage their reputations to build new business. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Pacific Fishermen Shipyard is facing a cost challenge that threatens its long-term sustainability as an urban shipyard. Commodore’s Boats Five years ago, wood boat specialists Commodore’s Boats forged into new markets, investing in a steel and aluminum weld fabricat...