Page 32: of Marine News Magazine (January 2011)

31 33

32 MN January 2011 “We were a general contractor doing maintenance work out at the Ketchikan pulp mill. That was our primary cus- tomer. But that work was seasonal. We worked through the summer and had to lay people off in the winter. So we saw the shipyard as having the potential to provide year round employment for our construction crew. Year round employment in this state is golden.”

After he saw that the first round of proposals for the

Ketchikan shipyard had been unsuccessful, Randy

Johnson, President of Ty-Matt, wrote to then Governor

Wally Hickel. “Randy asked him to remove that experi- ence requirement and let Alaska contractors have another shot at operating the yard,” Ward said. The Governor agreed. Johnson’s company applied and was awarded a three-year contract to operate ASD in November 1993.

The objectives were to reactivate and complete mainte- nance on the shipyard, complete maintenance on two

MHS vessels and seek funding for shipyard expansion. “The intent was to get enough infrastructure in the yard so that it could operate year round and provide full-time employment,” Ward said. “Being a new shipyard with new people and inadequate capacity, it was a real challenge to get new customers to come in. There was some deserved skepticism from the state. We were a new maintenance company.” While the company proved itself as a shipyard operator, Ward said, “It was a long three years.”

The Big Objective: Economic Development

When it came time to meet the objective to expand the capacity and market share of the yard, Johnson sought a more fitting home for ASD in state government. Alaska’s

DOTPF, which originally controlled the yard when it was purchased, is an agency designed to provide safe and effi- cient transportation for movement of freight and people, but it does not have an economic development mission.

Ward said the early planning documents for the yard rec- ommended that after the conclusion of construction, ownership be transferred to an authority like the Alaska

Industrial Development Authority (AIDA). But at the time the yard went operational, AIDA didn’t have any projects on such a scale and it didn’t own real estate.

In the late 90s, near the end of his firm’s first three years as yard operator, Johnson had a chance meeting with then

Governor Tony Knowles on an airplane during a business trip. On that plane, Johnson asked Knowles if he would

Argosy vessels are designed using advanced cutting edge technology. Each boat is built by our expert staff that have operated towboats for years. • Save over 30% in fuel costs utilizing Argosy’s proprietary vessel design • Reduced fuel consumption will result in the lowest vessel operating cost in the industry • Featuring optimized performance, handling and safety on every boat • Our customers enjoy higher profits with best in class performance • Superior service and unparalleled customer support from front to back

Argosy Boat Company, LLC • 100 Michael Road • Pierre Part, LA 70339

Phone: (636) 236-8872 • Fax: (636) 634-3466 www.argosyboat.com

Save 30% in Fuel Costs

Request a no-cost, free evaluation and needs analysis before you buy or refurbish.

There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. pictured vessel is not Argosy built vessel