Mare Island Dry Docks wins $5.1 million Polar Star contract

MAY 7, 2014 — U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $5.1 million U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contract for Mare Island Dry Docks, LLC. The contract is for the dry docking and ship repairs of the icebreaker Polar Star.

Mare Island Dry Docks LLC operates on an 18 acre located on the site of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA, that includes the yard’s Dry Dock #2 and Dry Dock #3. The largest of the two has a length of 700 feet.

Mare Island Dry Docks took a lease on the facility after the former operator, Mare Island Shipyard LLC, opted to end its lease early.

The new operator has financial backing from Philadelphia based investment partnership Dimeling, Schreiber & Park, whose other investments include Boston Ship Repair.

“This is a great day for Mare Island, Vallejo and Solano County,” said Rep. Thompson. “The Polar Star contract will bring much needed jobs and revenue to our community, and it represents an important step forward in the economic revitalization of Mare Island.”

“I want to thank Congressman Mike Thompson for his commitment to Mare Island and to everyone involved in helping secure this contract for Mare Island. I can’t wait to see the ‘Now Hiring’ signs,” said Coast Guard Subcommittee Ranking Member Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA). “As the polar ice cap in the Arctic continues to recede further opening the region to global shipping traffic and other economic development, the Polar Star will be a key Coast Guard asset protecting American interests and ensuring safe and reliable maritime commerce.”