Vigor

10/15/2026

Vigor Marine Group was represented at the 2026 Restore America’s Estuaries Coastal & Estuarine Summit in San Francisco, September 22–25, where Lindsay Gatchell, Environmental Compliance Specialist at Vigor Marine Seattle, presented alongside Long Live the Kings (LLTK) on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Habitat Project at Harbor Island.

The project focuses on restoring salmon habitat along Seattle’s working waterfront. The nearly three-acre restored shoreline includes tidal marsh, native vegetation and protected habitat, supporting ongoing efforts to improve nearshore ecosystems and contribute to salmon recovery.

LLTK and University of Washington researchers continue to monitor the restoration site to better understand how the habitat supports juvenile salmon and contributes to ecosystem recovery.

The summit brought together coastal restoration practitioners, researchers, policymakers and community advocates to share knowledge and advance restoration efforts in coastal communities.
Restore America's Estuaries

10/08/2026

Safety leadership on the waterfront starts with collaboration, preparation, and a commitment to sending every worker home safely.

In the latest episode of Ship Repair Radio, host John Polowczyk sits down with Larry Ryan, Operational Risk Manager at Vigor Marine MHI Norfolk and Chair of the VSRA OSHA Partnership Subcommittee, to discuss proactive safety across the ship repair industry.

Drawing from nearly 30 years in the maritime industry, Larry shares his perspective on OSHA’s role, the value of the VSRA-OSHA Strategic Partnership, and how shipyards can work together to identify hazards and share best practices.

The conversation also looks ahead to the 30th Annual VSRA Safety & Health Seminar, including hands-on training for the shipyard workforce and the “industrial athlete” approach to ergonomics and injury prevention.

🎧 Listen to Episode 16 of Ship Repair Radio: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdZEDlMTPBA&list=PLXgMKFn7KX6Y&index=3]

10/05/2026

Last week, Seahawks Legend and Washington native Jermaine Kearse visited Vigor Marine Seattle with Long Live the Kings to learn more about the habitat restoration work taking place at our Seattle shipyard on Harbor Island.

The visit highlighted our continued partnership with Long Live the Kings, which is continuing the ongoing work of monitoring habitat recovery at the restoration site. The nearly three-acre restored shoreline includes tidal marsh, native vegetation, and protected habitat, providing young salmon with a place to rest and grow along their journey to Puget Sound.

The visit was part of the Seahawks and Boeing’s Team of Champions program, which selected Long Live the Kings to have its salmon recovery work showcased through the partnership.

We were glad to welcome Jermaine and the Long Live the Kings team and share more about the work taking place to support a healthier Duwamish River and demonstrate how a working waterfront can coexist with a thriving environment.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.vigormarine.com/news-press/seattles-waterfront-is-alive

Long Live the Kings

10/01/2026

Roger's career in the shipyard began in 2008, when his dad helped him get started. After working as a journeyman in Tacoma, Roger joined Vigor Marine Group, where he has spent the last 10 years as an L2 Carpenter.

Roger has continually expanded his skills in his time at VMG, including learning scaffolding, a trade he had not worked with before. He also discovered a new appreciation for ferries, which he’d seen while living in the region his whole life, but never actually been on before joining Vigor.

One of the things Roger values most about ship repair is the opportunity to see the entire life of a project, from the initial work to the completed vessel. And how the team supports each other in working safely.

"We all come together almost like a family," Roger said. "We want to come in, make sure everybody's safe. Goes home the way they come in."

Roger takes pride in the experience and opportunities his career has provided, including the ability to support his family and serve as a resource for others on his team.

With repair work constantly changing and new challenges arriving every day, Roger knows there is always something new to learn.
"Getting the team together as one. Everybody communicates, everybody's on the same page. Everybody knows what you're doing. We just love what we do."

Thank you, Roger, for the experience, craftsmanship, and commitment to teamwork and safety that you bring to the team every day.

09/29/2026

We’re proud to share that Vigor Marine MHI Norfolk has been awarded a $119.4 million contract to support maintenance and modernization of USS San Antonio (LPD 17) during a fiscal 2027 Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

The work will include the labor, equipment, testing, facilities, and quality assurance needed to complete critical modernization, maintenance, and repair work on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, beginning in early 2027.

We’re honored to continue supporting the U.S. Navy and grateful to the MHI team whose expertise, craftsmanship, and dedication make awards like this possible.

We look forward to getting to work and delivering for our Navy customer.

09/18/2026

Successful ship repair takes skilled craftspeople, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to getting the job done right. Approximately 70 Vigor Marine Group employees and subcontractors came together to support Pacific Collector during a dry-dock repair period focused on maintenance and ABS-required work.

Throughout the project, our team completed a range of maintenance and repair. Machinists supported significant repairs to the vessel’s propulsion system, while the Boilermaker team completed critical repairs and inspections to support the vessel’s return to service. Western Machinery worked alongside Vigor’s teams throughout the project, providing valuable support and expertise.

This project reflects the expertise, teamwork and dedication that drive successful ship repair. Thank you to every employee, craft, and partner whose contributions helped make this project a success.

09/11/2026

Today, we remember and honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and the countless first responders, service members, and civilians whose courage and sacrifice shaped our nation.

On Patriot Day, we pause to remember those we lost, honor those who served, and recognize the strength and resilience of the communities that came together in the days that followed.
We will never forget.

08/19/2026

Meet Vladimir Bida, Welder at Vigor Marine Group.

Vladimir has spent more than 35 years in the shipyard, building a career as a welder and witnessing firsthand how the industry and workplace have changed over the years. Throughout his career, Vladimir has never been injured on the job, a milestone he credits in part to making safety a priority every day.

For Vladimir, safety is one of the most important parts of the job. “You come here, you have to go home. Somebody waits for you,” Vladimir said.

He also values the opportunity to help others, remembering the people who supported him when he was new to the shipyard and now paying that support forward to the next generation.

“Other people tried to help me. Now it’s my turn to help people who come here.”

Thank you, Vladimir, for your experience, craftsmanship, and commitment to helping others that you bring to Team VMG every day.

08/12/2026

Vigor Marine Fabrication unveiled USAV Craney Island yesterday, marking a major milestone for the company and the U.S. Army.

Set for delivery to the U.S. Army this fall, Craney Island features next-generation capabilities designed to improve payload capacity, maneuverability, speed and operational flexibility in challenging environments.

More than 300 skilled workers at our Vancouver facility contributed to the vessel, alongside more than 40 Washington state-based companies and partners across the Pacific Northwest and United States.

Craney Island builds on lessons learned from the prototype MSV(L), SSG Elroy F. Wells, launched by Vigor in 2022, and highlights the skill of our workforce and the strength of our U.S. supply chain.

We’re proud to continue supporting U.S. military readiness and strengthening America’s maritime industrial base.

08/07/2026

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the courageous service members who were wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

The Purple Heart is one of our nation's oldest military decorations, representing extraordinary bravery, resilience, and selfless service. Today, we pause to recognize the sacrifices of those who have borne the physical and emotional costs of protecting our freedoms.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the men and women wounded or lost in defense of our freedom.

Today, a grateful nation gives thanks and assures that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.