Patti Shipyard Moves To N ew Site On Bayou Chico In Pensacola

A continuing surge in boatbuilding has added a new feature to the waterfront in Pensacola, Fla., as Patti Shipyard recently began operations at a new location on Bayou Chico. Previously, the shipyard operated on properties leased from Patti Industries, Inc. on Pensacola Bay. The parent company will continue its operations at that site.

The new facilities, on five acres of land on the north bank of the bayou, will be used for new boat construction as well as boat and barge repairs, according to Frank Patti, general manager of the company.

"We foresee significant growth, and our former location has become too small to meet work demand," he commented. "The growth in the Gulf area, the increasing demand for quality boats in a variety of forms, and the anticipated increase in traffic along the Intercoastal Waterway all prompted our decision," he said.

The new location includes two work buildings (150 by 100 feet and 90 by 60 feet), two covered mezzanine areas, and a new office. The site will also have a launching ways, and Patti has begun construction of a 1,500-ton drydock for boat/barge repairs.

The first vessel to be built at the Bayou Chico yard will be a sternwheel riverboat more than 200 feet long that will be used for excursion cruises out of St. Paul, Minn. Patti Industries is currently completing a workboat, the 100-foot George W.

Britton, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Other stories from May 1985 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.