Joe Riccio
203-384-9777

Immediate

Derecktor Shipyards Adds New Dry Dock to Increase Capacity for Ship Repairs

BRIDGEPORT, November 12, 2004 - Derecktor Shipyards, one of the foremost builders of high-speed ferries and ship repair, has recently added a new dry dock to its 23-acre location at Bridgeport Harbor.

The addition of the 30-foot long and 70-foot wide dry dock will allow more ships to be repaired that can’t be lifted totally out of the water. What’s more, the new dry dock can accommodate boats heavier and longer than Derecktor’s current repair area.

Joseph Riccio, executive director of the Bridgeport Port Authority, estimates that the greater repair capacity should add up to 50 new jobs. Derecktor now employs 160 people at its shipyard.

The dry dock will temporarily be placed on the Yellow Mill side of the property for retrofitting, and then be permanently moored on the harbor side of the shipyard. Derecktor and the BPA will apply to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the necessary permits.

Riccio saw the dry dock as an exciting expansion of business for Derecktor, which was good for the entire Bridgeport Regional Maritime Complex.

“The dry dock adds to the capacity of the shipyard and makes Derecktor a more viable business,” Riccio said. “Because Derecktor can repair more ships, more jobs will be created for the Bridgeport area. It’s encouraging to see the shipyard expanding.”

Derecktor moved to Bridgeport in 2001 as one of its three locations with the other two in Mamaroneck, New York and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During the last three years, Derecktor has built nine boats at its Bridgeport location and repaired 18 others.

Derecktor Connecticut focuses on the new construction and service of large vessels with the capacity to handle both commercial and pleasure craft with lengths exceeding three hundred feet and weighing up to 600 metric tons.

Bridgeport Mayor John M. Fabrizi applauds the expansion of Derecktor, which benefits the harbor and the entire area.

“This is a great opportunity for Derecktor, which is a key player in the Bridgeport Harbor area,” Fabrizi said. “Its growth will add to the dynamics of our waterfront. We’re proud to have such a fine company operating and growing in our city.”

The BPA is a quasi-public entity that has jurisdiction over the entire Bridgeport Harbor port. It also operates the ferry terminal facility, Water Street Dock and has jurisdiction over several marine cargo terminals.