Congressmen Jerry Carl, R-Alabama, and Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, visited the Austal USA and Master Boat Builders shipyards in Mobile and Coden Tuesday. The U.S Navy recently awarded Austal USA with a $144 million multi-ship contract. The Mobile-based shipyard will first construct a steel-built Navajo Class towing and salvage ship.
Rogers, the ranking Republican member of the U.S House Armed Services Committee, mentioned a continued need to invest in the U.S maritime fleet in remarks made on the visit to the shipyards in Mobile county.
“Continuing to invest in and build our maritime fleet is critical for our nation’s future,” Rogers said. “I was glad to join Rep. Jerry Carl to see the hard work being done right here in Alabama at Austal USA and Master Boat Builders. The people of Austal USA and Master Boat Builders are building a better America.”
Carl, whose district contains both shipyards, thanked his Republican colleague for visiting both locations with him Tuesday and pointing to the critical support both companies lend to the area.
“South Alabama is home to many world-class shipbuilding facilities, and the work they do is critical to our local economy and to the defense footprint of the United States,” Carl said. “I’m proud to sit on the House Armed Services Committee, where I’m fighting for their continued success each and everyday.”
Rusty Murdaugh, president of Austal USA, thanked both congressmen for their continued support and advocacy of U.S national defense readiness and support of Austal.
“Congressman Rogers has been a champion of advancing our Nation’s military readiness throughout his career, and his support of Austal shipbuilding has been unwavering,” Murdaugh said. “Congressman Carl, from day one, has been a staunch advocate of national defense and Austal, our incredibly skilled workforce, and our families. We can’t thank them enough for all their support.”
Master Boat Builder’s President Garrett Rice offered similar appreciation to both congressmen, thanking both for their support of Alabama build workboats and vessels made in the Coden shipyard.
“Master Boat Builders was honored to host U.S. Representatives Jerry Carl and Mike Rogers to see the high-quality workboats and vessels being built right here in Alabama by our hardworking employees,” Rice said. “As leading members of the House Armed Services Committee, we greatly appreciate Representatives Carl and Rogers’ commitment to Alabama shipbuilding and shipyards across the country, which are critical to our economy and national security.”
