Last month, Vigor welcomed over a thousand employees, customers and their familie to christen Vigorous, Vigor’s new 960' drydock. Vigorous is the largest floating drydock in North America and opens Portland, Ore., to new markets such as cruise ships and post-Panamax vessels.
Two MARAD cargo ships will be the first vessels in the dock, creating 130 jobs for Vigor workers. The company, which invested more than $50 million to build and deliver Vigorous, also has a cruise ship booked for repairs in March 2015.
“This is a momentous day for us,” said Dave Whitcomb, Vigor chief operating officer, during his speech at the christening. “Vigorous is here to support family-wage jobs for the men and women of Vigor as well as the marine community here in Portland.”
CEO Frank Foti told those gathered at the christening that the choice to sell the original dry dock in 2001 was a difficult decision which took courage. Now, 13 years later, he is proud to welcome the Vigorous, which joins 11 other drydocks at locations across the Pacific Northwest from Portland to Ketchikan.
“Over a decade ago many people here probably never thought a day like this would come for Portland or Vigor again,” Whitcomb said. “Please give the employees of Vigor your applause, this is their future.”
KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Lifting capacity: 80,000 LT
Length: 960' (293m)
Inside Width: 186'(57m)
Total width: 228' (69m)
Height: 70' (21m)
Weight: 24,000 LT
