W
hen
two
San
Francisco
commuter-ferry
operators
awarded refurbishing contracts
to San Diego’s Marine Group Boat Works,
LLC, the vessels arrived loaded with job
opportunities and economic boosts, not just
for South Bay’s marine community, but far
beyond the local scope of ship repair.
The first project involves the overhaul of the
97-foot Bay Breeze. The Water Emergency
Transportation Authority (WETA), perhaps
better known as the San Francisco Bay Ferry
company, operates the 19-year-old vessel
as part of its commuter fleet. The ferry’s
overhaul at Marine Group Boat Works’ one
million square-foot facility in Chula Vista, CA
(south San Diego) includes a newly installed
conventional propeller system, brand new
interior, systems upgrades and a whole new
paint scheme to match the current look of the
fleet. The contract is valued at over $4 million
and was awarded by WETA in March 2013.
As of the end of October, the refurbishing is
over 75 percent complete.
The 180-foot M.S. San Francisco, owned
and operated by the Golden Gate Bridge
Highway and Transportation District,
arrived in San Diego in September 2013
and was hauled out with Marine Group’s
665-ton mobile boat lift. The ferry, built in
San Diego in 1977, has been operating San
Francisco’s Larkspur commute for the past
36 years. Her estimated 14-month overhaul
will include completely new components,
the replacement or upgrading of machinery,
electrical and auxiliary systems, with a brand-
new interior and a new paint job. Valued
in excess of $18 million, this contract was
awarded in June 2013 by the Golden Gate
Bridge Highway and Transportation District
Board of Directors.
Marine Group Boat Works’ capabilities
provide the existing workforce and
infrastructure to handle these projects, but
the contracts still mean a boost in local hiring.
The awards generate work at many levels of
involvement in the San Diego areas as well.
Travel, accommodations, consulting fees and
other related needs will generate more than
a quarter of a million dollars in revenue to
other industries. A report released by the
U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
concludes that each job in the industry
leads to another 2.7 jobs nationally, and
that for every dollar spent on a specific ship
repair project, another $2.66 goes into the
wider economy.
Marine Group Boat Works estimates that
some $15 million will be spent in materials
and subcontractors over the life of the two
ferry contracts.
Todd Roberts is Vice President of Marine Group
Boat Works, LLC which provides boatbuilding
and repair services from two locations in San
Diego and one in Los Cabos.
By ABYC Member Todd Roberts of Marine Group Boat Works
Aside from creating 50 new jobs between
Marine Group’s two facilities specializing
in aluminum and steel boat repair and
new construction in San Diego, the
projects have added income to other
segments of the economy.
Ferry Contracts Carry Jobs,
Economic Propulsion
An ABYC Member company adds to their workforce, and to the economy.
24
American Boat & Yacht Council •
the
Reference Point
• Winter 2014
