Larsen Highlights Federal Shipbuilding Funding Creating Local Jobs in Bellingham

Last week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) toured All American Marine’s facility in Bellingham with Ron Wille (All American Marine, President and COO), Jim Wunderman (San Francisco Bay Ferry, Chair) and Raymond Scott (Echandia Marine, Head of Sales). All American Marine (AAM) is building electric ferries for San Francisco Bay Ferry (SFBF), and Echandia Marine is a Marysville business that provides batteries for SFBF’s ferries. “Shipbuilding is alive and well in Northwest Washington, and it is creating local jobs that sustain families,” said Rep. Larsen. “As the top Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to make investments in maritime infrastructure and passenger ferry systems that help regional economies grow.” During the tour, Rep. Larsen operated a 550-ton CNC press brake and viewed two 30-foot MasterCam router tables. These pieces of equipment enable AAM to produce ferry vessels for SFBF, and AAM was able to purchase the equipment thanks to funding federal funding from the Small Shipyards Grant Program. Rep. Larsen helped AAM secure the grant to purchase the equipment in 2023 . “We were proud to welcome Congressman Larsen to All American Marine and show firsthand how federal investment in American shipbuilding translates directly into good-paying local jobs, modern manufacturing capabilities, and vessels being built right here in Bellingham, WA,” said Ron Wille, President and COO of All American Marine. “We are especially proud to be building San Francisco Bay Ferry’s first fully electric high-speed ferries, helping demonstrate what American shipyards and maritime technology can deliver for the next generation of passenger transportation.” “These electric ferries can be built for roughly the same cost as diesel vessels but will cost less to operate and maintain,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of SFBF. “We project vessel maintenance savings of 32% and the cost of electricity is anticipated to be at least 20% less than diesel fuel. These savings can be reinvested in the operation of more service to meet ferry demand that continues to surge.” “Federal investment in shipyards like All American Marine creates demand that reaches well beyond the shipyard itself,” said Raymond Scott, Head of Sales at Echandia. “Our team in Marysville is proud to supply LTO battery systems for San Francisco Bay Ferry’s first fully electric high-speed ferries, and we thank Congressman Larsen for his leadership in making Northwest Washington a hub for the next generation of maritime technology." On the T&I Committee, Rep. Larsen has been an advocate for the Small Shipyard Grant Program, which helps local shipyards make critical infrastructure investments. He has also been a champion for increasing federal funding for passenger ferries, which are critical to Northwest Washington’s rural communities and economy. In August , Rep. Larsen announced the Small Shipyards Grant Program awarded $1.3 million to Everett Ship Repair LLC and Rozema Boat Works, Inc. Rep. Larsen also helped the Port of Bellingham secure $23.5 million from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program in July . ###