Austal USA welcomed Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on the firm’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard yesterday. She was joined by Admiral Steven D. Poulin, Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard and Rear Admiral Chad L. Jacoby, Director of Acquisition Programs & Program Executive Officer (CG-93), U.S. Coast Guard.
Senator Murkowski toured the shipyard’s amenities and mentioned the corporate’s contract for stage two of the Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC).
Murkowski, Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has a strategic curiosity within the success of the OPC program ensuing from her state’s lengthy relationship with the Coast Guard. Alaska will even be the homeport for 2 OPCs.
Austal USA management briefed Senator Murkowski and Admiral Poulin on the corporate’s high-tech metal shipbuilding manufacturing line which has resulted in Austal USA’s functionality to fabricate more and more complicated ships and elements. The 117,000 sq. foot metal panel line, the place OPC development will start in mid-2024, homes the most recent state-of-the-art computerized and robotic metal processing tools to deal with the present and future calls for of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy.
“Having the opportunity to show Senator Murkowski and Admiral Poulin our facility today was exciting for our entire workforce,” said Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh. “The effort we have put into developing our successful manufacturing operation is something we are extremely proud of and we always welcome the chance to shine for such influential visitors.”
Austal USA has delivered 29 battle power ships to the Navy since 2009. The firm’s investments have additionally included the institution of ship service amenities in Mobile, Ala., San Diego, Calif., and Singapore and a facility for superior applied sciences in Charlottesville, Va.