BELFAST — The United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration has awarded a $667,028 grant to Front Street Shipyard of Belfast, as part of the 2018 (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grants program.

Front Street Shipyard will use the funds toward its purchase of a Flow Mach 700 Waterjet Cutting Machine. The equipment will streamline the construction of custom and production vessels, reducing costs and improving quality of the end-products, according to a July 19 Front Street news release.

Front Street Shipyard's new waterjet cutting machine will be the largest of its kind in the State of Maine, the release said.

Capable of cutting nearly any material including stainless steel and titanium, it will machine very large parts such as wooden frames for recreational boat molds and carbon fiber panels for commercial ferry construction. Shipwrights will cut parts directly from electronic data drawn by engineers, reducing production time while also improving quality and accuracy.

"With a machine of this size and capability we hope to attract diverse projects, including non-marine applications," said JB Turner, president of Front Street Shipyard, in the release.

Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, made the grant award announcement today.

"A new waterjet cutting machine will help diversify Front Street Shipyard's services to include a new production line, greatly enhancing its global competitiveness and making the shipyard the only U.S. company with these unique manufacturing capabilities," said Senator Collins. "By helping Front Street Shipyard purchase this new machine, this investment will help boost Belfast's local economy and create approximately 40 new jobs at the shipyard."

The waterjet cutting machine will be installed in Front Street Shipyard's new addition to its facility, currently under construction on a lot adjacent to its existing yard. The 22,500-square foot building will accommodate large yacht refits and commercial vessel construction projects while adding dozens more full-time jobs at Front Street Shipyard.

"This grant will have a meaningful impact on our business, our employees and our community," said Turner. "We're grateful to the DOT and thankful for the support of Senators Collins and King who advocated on our behalf."

Front Street Shipyard will begin installation and operation of the waterjet cutting machine early this winter. Now operating in its seventh year on the Belfast waterfront, Front Street Shipyard is currently accepting job applications for upcoming technical and labor positions in its new facility. More information about Front Street Shipyard is available online at frontstreetshipyard.com.

(Editor's note: High-resolution renderings of Building 6 are available upon request. Please email nicole@rhumblinecommunications.com.)

Front Street Shipyard is a  boatbuilding, yacht refit and service facility in Belfast. With hauling capacity for vessels up to 485 tons, the yard provides dockage, repairs and storage for recreational and commercial vessels up to 200 feet. Front Street Shipyard has deep-water access for a range of power and sailing vessels from small boats to superyachts.