Vigor Marine Ketchikan Wins Safety Award Again

For the fourth consecutive year, Vigor Marine Ketchikan has been recognized with the Shipbuilder Council of America’s “Excellence in Safety” award for its commitment to enhancing safety and preventing accidents in the 2024 calendar year. The awards, announced in late May, saw Vigor Marine Ketchikan recognized alongside two other Vigor Marine Group entities.

To qualify for the 2024 SCA safety award, member companies must submit injury and illness data for all four quarters, report zero fatalities for the year, and either maintain a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) below the SCA average or achieve a reduction of at least 10 percent from the previous year. Ketchikan can take pride in this achievement, indicating a steadfast commitment to safe operations and the well-being of shipyard personnel.

Despite this impressive track record, uncertainties loom over the shipyard as the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) seeks a new operator for the facility, with the current agreement with Vigor set to expire in November. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly has expressed support for prioritizing local hires and retaining current Vigor employees in any future operations. A resolution passed on May 19 “strongly urges” AIDEA to encompass these considerations in its Request for Proposals.

The borough assembly also emphasizes collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition that preserves employment and maintains the industrial vitality of the region. It is crucial to foster a workplace culture that continually strives for excellence in safety, potentially leading to further recognition in the years to come.