Kagen Announces $73.6 Million for Marinette Marine Corp.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

April 20, 2010

KAGEN ANNOUNCES $73.6 MILLION FOR MARINETTE MARINE CORP.

Contract funded by Recovery Act is awarded for construction of fisheries survey vessel

GREEN BAY, WI- U.S. Congressmen Steve Kagen, M.D. celebrates the continued success of Marinette Marine Corporation and announces the reward of a $73.6 million contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“Wisconsin Made- Wisconsin Great!” declared Dr. Kagen. 

Made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the contract is for a construction of a new fisheries survey vessel, which will dramatically improve NOAA’s ability to conduct surveys for fish, marine mammals and turtles off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

“The world has discovered what we’ve known all along,” continued Kagen.  “ Wisconsin produces the finest manufactured materials in the world, and we can compete against anyone and win on a level playing field.”

“Marinette Marine was successful in its bid, and will receive over $73 million to build NOAA’s next research vessel.  This project will not only benefit the economy of Marinette County, but also benefits our scientific research community as it will greatly enhance our understanding of our ocean resources.”

Funded through the ARRA, which Dr. Kagen voted for, the fisheries survey vessel will be the fifth in a series of state-of-the-art Oscar Dyson-class ships built for the agency.

The NOAA ship will study the marine eco-system off U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and it will be equipped with a full suite of modern instrumentation for fisheries and oceanographic research, including advanced navigation systems, acoustic sensors, scientific sampling gear and extensive laboratories.

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