First Three WCC Keels Authenticated
On March 6, Birdon America Inc. hosted senior leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, industry partners, local officials and members of the community for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Keel Authentication Ceremony in Bayou La Batre, Ala. It’s a nautical tradition that takes place in the early stages of a ship’s construction. This one celebrated the start of construction on the first three WCC vessels. The vessels — the USCGC Allen Thiele, Fred Permenter and Samuel Wilson — will replace aging Coast Guard vessels.
In 2022, Birdon was awarded a $1.187 billion contract to design and build 27 Waterways Commerce Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard. That same year, Birdon bought a 32-acre shipyard from Metal Shark and began a $38 million expansion.
“This major milestone reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering the next generation of cutters designed to strengthen America’s inland waterways and maritime security,” the company said.
The WCC contract is composed of two separate but related vessel designs: the River Buoy Tender (WLR) and the Inland Construction Tender (WLIC). Both variants are complex, modern and designed to current military standards. The new cutter design is expected to provide up to 11 days of accommodation and habitability for up to 19 crew members.
The vessels will be known as the Chief Petty Officer Class. They are named in honor of veterans cited for their service. Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Alan Thiele rose to become the fifth master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, the service’s senior enlisted member. Chief Warrant Officer Fred Permenter in 1951 plunged into heavy seas to rescue several men thrown overboard during a failed launch. Chief Boatswain’s Mate Samuel Wilson led a dangerous mission in 1979 to rescue the crew of a Japanese fishing vessel that had run aground during a winter storm in Alaska.
The new WCC vessels will ensure the Coast Guard can continue to support commerce, safety and security across the nation’s inland waterways for decades to come, Birdon said.
“Their sole purpose is to assure America’s economic prosperity by facilitating commerce along our inland river system,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Phillip N. Waldron at the ceremony, according to al.com. “Economic prosperity is national defense. Every year, 422 million tons of cargo worth $57 billion flow through these rivers. And they’re guided by the aids of navigation that these cutters will soon hook, hang and set.”
Building Momentum
“Our team has worked tirelessly to deliver on our commitments to the Coast Guard for the WCC program,” said Tony Ardito, president of Birdon. “This progress reflects the discipline of our production planning, the skill of our workforce and the close coordination we maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Beyond the national security significance of the WCC program, the ceremony also highlights Birdon’s growing investment in Alabama’s maritime economy. Birdon has continued to increase its workforce in Bayou La Batre to support WCC construction and future programs. Birdon America is significantly expanding its workforce as part of a $37.55 million expansion of its Bayou La Batre shipyard. The expansion is expected to create more than 130 new jobs.
The first cohort of Birdon’s apprentices has been on site for six months, gaining hands-on experience in skilled trades and building the foundation for long-term maritime careers. Ongoing infrastructure investments at the shipyard are expanding capacity, improving efficiency and positioning the facility for sustained growth.
Ardito added, “From our efforts to expand our workforce and develop apprentices, to our investment in improving our facilities and infrastructure, Birdon is committed to strengthening the Gulf Coast’s maritime industrial base while delivering world-class capability for the nation.”
Birdon has been engineering and manufacturing defense solutions since 1992 and is a leading global supplier of army watercraft.
Birdon has built assets for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, as well as the Australian Navy and Australian Army.
Featured image caption: U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Phillip N. Waldron (left) stands with Mrs Barbara L. Wison, Jodi O’Leary, Tony Ardito, president of Birdon America, and Tammy Bugler, CFO and co-owner of the Birdon Group, at the keel authentication ceremony for the first three Waterways Commerce Cutters. (Photo courtesy of Birdon)
