By VOICES Staff.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) has announced its annual Safety Awards, honoring 14 U.S. shipyards for their outstanding safety performance in 2024.
The awards recognize facilities that met rigorous standards in promoting safe work environments across the shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance sector. This industry plays a vital role in sustaining U.S. national security, economic activity, and maritime leadership.
To qualify for an SCA Safety Award, shipyards must submit full-year injury and illness data, report zero fatalities, and either maintain a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) below the SCA average or reduce their TRIR by at least 10 percent compared to the previous year.
“Year after year, the shipbuilding and repair industry proves that safety is more than a goal—it’s embedded in the culture of our workforce and operations,” said Matthew Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America. “Recipients of this award are setting the benchmark for prioritizing the industry’s greatest asset—its people—while strengthening the capabilities that keep our maritime sector resilient and prepared.”
SPOTLIGHT: Austal USA: 19-Time Safety Honoree
Austal USA, located in Mobile, Alabama, was also recognized with the Excellence in Safety Award, marking its 19th safety award from the SCA.
“We appreciate SCA’s leadership in promoting safety in the shipbuilding industry and are extremely proud to once again be recognized by SCA for our safety record,” said Michelle Kruger, President of Austal USA. “Our quarter century of shipbuilding success is built on our excellent safety performance of our talented workforce. I am proud that our shipbuilding team has repeatedly prioritized safety above all else and we are excited for this opportunity to receive our 19th SCA safety award.”
Austal USA has announced major investments in its facilities, including expanding its modular manufacturing capacity, to dramatically ramp up America’s submarine industrial base by 2026. These submarine modules will then be shipped to other shipyards on American-owned, American-crewed and American-built barges.
SPOTLIGHT: Birdon America – “Safety Is How We Operate”
Birdon America, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, was named one of the 14 recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Safety Award, reflecting its dedication to accident prevention and workforce protection.
“At Birdon America, safety is embedded in our culture; it’s not just something we do—it’s how we operate,” said Tony Ardito, President of Birdon. “Receiving the SCA Excellence in Safety Award is a reflection of the unwavering commitment of our teams to protect one another, innovate responsibly, and deliver with integrity. We’re proud to stand alongside others in the industry who are setting a higher standard for safety, every single day.”
In 2024, Birdon showcased its work on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Waterways Commerce Cutter program at the International WorkBoat Show, underscoring the company’s growing role in delivering mission-critical vessels for America’s maritime border security.
The Bigger Picture
Award recipients reflect a broad cross-section of the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. These companies are instrumental in supporting America’s commercial and government vessel needs, including for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and other federal agencies.
“These awardees demonstrate that prioritizing safety not only protects people but strengthens the entire industry—helping to ensure that America’s shipyards remain the safest in the world and setting a high standard for continuous improvement that resonates beyond shipbuilding,” said Brad Moyer, Chairman of the Shipbuilders Council of America and Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Planning for BAE Systems Ship Repair.
The following shipyards and repair facilities have been recognized for their safety practices for 2024:
Award for “Excellence in Safety”
- Alabama Shipyard (Mobile, Ala.)
- Austal USA (Mobile, Ala.)
- BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (San Diego, Ca.)
- Birdon America (Denver, Co.)
- Bollinger Shipyards (Lockport, La.)
- Conrad Shipyard (Morgan City, La.)
- Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc (Norfolk, Va.)
- Detyens Shipyards, Inc. (Charleston, Sc.)
- Pacific Shipyards International (Honolulu, Hi.)
- Southwest Shipyard L.P. (Channelview, Texas)
- Vigor Marine Ketchikan (Ketchikan, Alaska)
- Vigor Marine Fabrication (Vancouver, Wa.)
- Vigor Marine Seattle (Seattle, Wa.)
Award for “Improvement in Safety”
- BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (San Diego, Ca.)
- Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc (Norfolk, Va.)
- Vigor Marine Seattle (Seattle, Wa.)
- Detyens Shipyards, Inc. (Charleston, Sc.)
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