Stabbert Marine and Industrial upgrades to Anacortes working waterfront: built, not bought
May 27, 2026 | News
Clean Ports partner spotlight: Stabbert Marine and Industrial has announced they will build a submersible barge right here in Anacortes.
On Thursday, April 2, Stabbert presented an update on their amended project plan to the Port of Anacortes Commission. Instead of using $11 million of their EPA Clean Ports Grant funding to purchase a travel lift built in Wisconsin, Stabbert has pivoted and decided to keep that money local for the submersible project.
“This EPA grant funding enables us to implement our long-term vision for the old Lovric’s Marina,” said Bryan Nichols, Stabbert’s Vice President of Technical Sales and Business Development. “By manufacturing this custom submersible barge here instead of purchasing a travel lift from out of state, we are accelerating that goal and bringing more jobs to our community, sooner.”
Stabbert is one of five private partner awardees for the Port’s $65 million EPA Clean Ports Grant. Stabbert will be using their portion of the grant to reinvigorate the old Lovric’s Marina, now operating as SMI-A (Stabbert Marine and Industrial – Anacortes). Upgrades include a dramatic increase in shore power – from 400 to 5,000 amps – to support the submersible barge, and a new all-electric equipment fleet.
The SMI-A facility has already grown from 3 onsite jobs to 25. When the barge – which functions much like a traditional dry dock – is completed two years from now, the people who built it will remain as shipyard employees, constituting a portion of the 50 anticipated family-wage jobs created by SMI-A.
“I am excited about the jobs being created through this project, and the capabilities that Stabbert brings to our community,” said Commissioner Shawn Ottenbreit, Economic Development Chair for the Port. “Stabbert’s partnership and leadership on this grant has been hugely impactful. The Port and our grant awardee partners share a vision for building our working waterfront and growing jobs in our community. This project is a prime example of that vision.”
Read more about the EPA Grant and the awardees: https://www.portofanacortes.com/news/port-partners-investing-65-million-in-epa-funds-to-reduce-emissions-and-boost-sustainable-economic-gro