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SHIP REPAIR AUSTAL USA integrated, because that allows us to control quality and cost,” head cranes and wing wall cranes that travel the length of the said Bell. “So, if Harley runs into something (and needs re- 668-foot dry dock. The services provided by Austal’s Mobile sources) he just makes a phone call. There happens to be a ship repair operation range from conversions and upgrades to river between the two campuses. If there wasn’t, you wouldn’t advanced ship repair. even know that it was a different part of Austal the way it’s The machine shop and fabrication areas are fully equipped set up right now.” with overhead cranes, lathes, and CNC plasma cutters, and no-

In addition, Combs said Austal USA was able to retain 40 tably it is able to turn shafts up to 55-ft. long on a lathe. Other people that had worked at the ship repair facility previously technical services offered to the company’s service clients in- on the premises, a talent-base which gives the Austal USA clude full-service detail design capability, 3D modeling, ? eld commercial ship repair upstart immediate credibility and ex- engineering support and dimensional accuracy control.

perience. “We have maintained a project management team At it headquarters across the river, Austal USA is putting over here that has been doing this work now for more than 20 the ? nishing touches on its new 100,000 sq. ft. steel panel years,” said Combs. “I’ve got a couple of them that have more line. “This is geared towards us being a full-blown steel ship than 30 years of experience. The people that were here were construction yard,” said Bell. “We’re the largest aluminum the result of a downsizing over the last few years of the previ- ship builder in the U.S.; probably the largest aluminum war- ous company. When we got the people that were left here, we ship builder in the world.” But in analyzing the market, Austal got the best of the best.” USA assessed that the Navy, Coast Guard and Military Sealift

The Austal West Campus repair facility provides access to Command – “needs somebody like us on the steel side. So we deep water berthing for vessels up to 1,000 feet, advanced made that investment.” To accommodate the new steel line, manufacturing capabilities including a friction stir welder, Austal will literally split its modular manufacturing facility

CNC machines, CNC cutting tables, and a carpenter shop, ma- down the middle. “One side will be kicking out aluminum chine shop and electrical and pipe shops. The repair facility modules, the other side will be kicking out steel modules,” also offers heavy-lifting capability with mobile cranes, over- said Bell.

[email protected] www.cimolaitechnology.com

Ship Lifting Platforms “Cimolift” Mobile Boat Hoists Portal Cranes Transfer Systems www.marinelink.com 31

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