Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman, (907) 465-3804
Wendy Lindskoog, (907) 465-4582
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

For Immediate Release: March 13, 1997 Contact: Joe Ambrose, 465-4906

ALASKA YARD LOW BIDDER ON FERRY OVERHAUL

Juneau -- Ketchikan's Alaska Ship and Dry Dock, Inc. (ASD) is the apparent low bidder for a major overhaul and refurbishment project on the M/V Matanuska.

The ASD bid of $3.6 million beat out competing shipyards in Tacoma and Seattle, according to a joint announcement made by Senator Robin Taylor and Representative Bill Williams.

"Coming in as the low bidder proves once again that an Alaskan shipyard can compete with outside interests", Taylor said. "When this contract is awarded it will mean 40 to 50 new jobs next winter in Ketchikan."

ASD has completed eleven projects at or under budget for the Marine Highway since it took over operation of the shipyard in November, 1993.

The project is a Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) upgrade of the Matanuska required by federal regulations for US vessels calling at foreign ports.

Representative Williams praised ASD for its hard work and continuing efforts to make ship repair a reality in Ketchikan.

"We all know that job creation is one of the keys to stabilizing our economy", Williams said. "Submitting the low bid on the Matanuska is great news and couldn't come at a better time."

ASD President Randy Johnson said the shipyard has been able to develop familiarity with the vessel and crews of the Alaska Marine Highway System.

"Since we began operations, ASD has acquired a working knowledge of the system and now, with the support of our communities, legislators and the administration we have the confidence to enter highly competitive bids," Johnson said.

The ASD project bid was $3,662,783. AK WA of Tacoma bid $3,694,041 and Todd Shipyard of Seattle bid $4,880,574 on the project. AMHS is evaluating the bids, all of which came in over the original engineer's estimate.

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