Newport Shipyard wins RIMTA Anchor Award
The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association has presented its annual Anchor Award to Newport Shipyard, to recognize the role the company has played in transforming a part of Newport’s waterfront into a world-renowned shipyard and creating a significant impact on the state’s marine trades.
“Charlie Dana and his family had the vision to transform a piece of Newport’s waterfront into a yard that is not only a mecca for competitive sailors and superyachts from around the world, but also a destination for boaters and a magnet for marine-related businesses,” said Wendy Mackie, CEO of RIMTA. “The Shipyard is the very best example of how a small group of individuals built on the history and heritage of boating in our state to become a major economic engine for our region.”
Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed presented the Anchor Award to Charlie Dana, managing partner of Newport Shipyard. In accepting the award, Dana was joined by his family and team members from the Shipyard.
Dana credited operating in a state with such a high concentration of marine-trades expertise, and the synergies that it produces, as part of the Shipyard’s success.
“We do not stand alone,” said Dana to the crowd of industry members. “We would not be successful today were it not for all of you.”
Other speakers at the event included U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, RIMTA President Dick Cromwell, Mackie and Bristol Marine President Andy Tyska.
RIMTA staff members Jen Huber, director of programs, and Brian Dursi, workforce development coordinator, also gave a presentation on the ways RIMTA can help the industry to connect with skilled employees and secure funding to train its existing workforce.
The most recent class of graduates from the Marine Trades & Composites Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program was also recognized at the event. The last three cycles of this workforce training program, coordinated by RIMTA and funded by Real Jobs Rhode Island, have achieved a 96 percent job-placement rate.
