STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Construction is officially underway at a Sturgeon Bay shipyard, to build a new vessel designed to work in the wind turbine industry.
With the push of a button, the machine begins to cut a laser sharp line through this huge plate of steel inside this room at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay.
“The steel-cutting ceremony is the moment in time, where the design has developed to the point where we’re ready to turn it over to the craftsmen, the artisans of this great shipyard,” said Ray Martus, Project Manager.
Maritime traditions are strong, and Ray Martus says that’s part of the reason why a partnership was formed to construct the boat in Sturgeon Bay.
“The infrastructure, the equipment, the great machines like this come from all over the United States, and this shipyard is uniquely capable of building vessels of this type of size and complexity,” said Martus.
Officials say the 288-foot long Service Operation Vessel will support wind turbines off the Atlantic Ocean coast.
“It is a big deal. The wind farm industry is a growing industry. Our customer is investing 178 turbines. It’s the largest in the U.S., and this vessel will service those wind farms,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Vice President and GM.
Jan Allman says Wednesday’s steel cutting ceremony is just the beginning.
“We’re very excited to be building the first in class, and we hope many more to come,” she said.
Allman says construction on the first vessel could wrap up at the end of 2024, or early 2025.
“When she’s finished, and she performs the sea trials over the Great Lakes, she’ll transfer around, and go down to Virginia, to serve the people of Virginia, for years to come,” said Martus.
Officials expect the vessel to be commissioned in 2026.
