August 13, 2026, Seward Folly Staff

Senator Dan Sullivan and Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday were in town on Monday, August 10, celebrating the awarding of more than $2.3 million in federal grants to Catalyst Marine Engineering and JAG Alaska. 

The grant money is intended to expand vessel-handling capacity, modernize equipment, and strengthen maritime infrastructure. Catalyst Marine Engineering will receive $916,223. They plan to acquire advanced fabrication, welding, and material-handling equipment.

Joe Tougas, owner of Catalyst, listed a few items they plan to purchase, including a 600-ton press break, used to bend metal, and a robotic welding system for higher batch, repetitive parts and pieces. Tougas explained that the Marine Administration (MARAD) is matching 60 percent of the program.

“MARAD is paying for $600,000 and Catalyst is paying $350,000,”  Tougas explained. “It’s a very thorough application process; this was over 200 pages of documentation, including buying all American components. It’s a great program – the return to the industry is excellent.” 

JAG is slated to receive $1,405,000. This will enable an expansion of vessel movement throughout the Seward Shipyard.

JAG’s Andrea Brady stated, “We received a MARAD grant to extend our north rail to both the east and the west inside the shipyard. The funding also includes additional carts to accommodate the increase in vessels.”

These investments will also strengthen Seward’s maritime capacity as the community prepares to welcome a new Arctic Security Cutter. 

The Coast Guard Commandant and an entourage of about 15 had an early lunch with city officials at the Legion after touring the new site for an apartment complex at Hilltop Subdivision above the high school.  Afterwards, they traveled to SMIC to check out the dock the Coast Guard has leased for the new Fast Response Cutter Vessel here next summer. 

In the afternoon, Senator Sullivan, along with dignitaries including the Commandant, Mayor McClure, and Mayor Micciche, made an appearance at the pavilion, announcing the grant allocations. 

In June, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the third Arctic Security Cutter funded through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act will be homeported in Seward once the necessary infrastructure is ready.

In a press release, Senator Sullivan said,  “We bring more Coast Guard and NOAA vessels to Alaska, and Alaska workers maintain and repair them while generating even more maritime work right here in our state.” 

The senator explained that four icebreakers are coming to Alaska, including the one homeported in Seward.