Shipbuilding has been part of Pensacola’s economy for centuries. Patti Marine has completed construction of an 800-ton dry dock, which was funded with a matching $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Maritime Administration.
Background: Located on Bayou Chico in Pensacola, Florida, Patti Marine has built fishing vessels, tug boats and passenger vessels since the late 1970s. The company built the first licensed riverboat casino, Dubuque Casino Belle. More than 40 employees work at Patti shipyard, which has built more ships for the Army Corps of Engineers than any other builder over the past 20 years.
The dry dock is already in use for work on a Navy vessel, the 132’x27’ YDT-18 diving training boat Poseidon.
- In a statement sent to workboat.com, the company stated: “This marks a significant enhancement to the shipyard’s capabilities and reaffirms Patti Marine’s longstanding commitment to serving private, commercial, and government maritime needs. The dry dock represents the shipyard’s continued investment in modern infrastructure to meet evolving industry demands.”
“As the company looks toward the future, it celebrates not only the launch of the new dry dock, but also the progress being made across its construction programs,” according to the company. “This Thanksgiving, Patti Marine is especially grateful to be building—building vessels, building innovation, and building strong relationships within the maritime community.”
Dig Deeper: When the DOT grant was announced in July 2024, Frank Patti Jr. said the dry dock would allow Patt Marine to expand their operations and offer more shipbuilding and repair services.
- “This expansion could help Patti Marine double in size in the next five years,” said Patti. “That means more work and more jobs right here in Pensacola.”
History Lesson
Pensacola’s shipbuilding history goes back to the 18th century when Spanish authorities used the deep, protected harbor to construct and repair ships for military and trade purposes, taking advantage of the region’s abundant timber resources.
After Florida became part of the United States, Pensacola’s shipbuilding industry expanded significantly with the establishment of the Pensacola Navy Yard in 1825. This yard constructed and maintained naval vessels, becoming an essential Southern shipyard for the U.S. Navy. The Navy Yard contributed vessels to the Mexican-American War and kept the fleet during the Civil War before being temporarily destroyed in 1862.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Patti Marine Enterprises (PATTIBUILT) proudly announces the successful launch and operation of its newly constructed 800-ton Dry Dock, which is already supporting a U.S. Navy vessel. This marks a significant enhancement to the shipyard’s capabilities and reaffirms Patti Marine’s longstanding commitment to serving private, commercial, and government maritime needs.
Now celebrating 47 years of building, repairing, and supporting vessels across the maritime industry, the award winning company emphasizes its gratitude for the dedicated workforce, loyal clients, and Gulf Coast community that have sustained its growth since 1978.
This latest expansion strengthens Patti Marine’s ability to deliver high-quality, efficient service for a wide range of vessels—including military craft, commercial vessels, tugs, and workboats. The Dry Dock represents the shipyard’s continued investment in modern infrastructure to meet evolving industry demands.
In addition to the newly launched Dry Dock, Patti Marine is currently advancing several major construction and repair projects, including:
- A series of truckable tugs, designed for mobility, efficiency, and versatility
- A 114-foot (including ladder) new-build dredge, the first of its kind in the United States, representing a major innovation in American dredging capability
- A 50-foot self-propelled barge, built for reliability and multi-purpose use
- Repairs on an 88-foot research vessel, supporting ongoing scientific and environmental missions
These current projects highlight Patti Marine’s versatility and continued investment in modern shipbuilding solutions. From commercial workboats to specialized government craft, Patti Marine remains committed to delivering safe, dependable, and expertly crafted vessels.
As the company looks toward the future, it celebrates not only the launch of the new Dry Dock, but also the progress being made across its construction programs. This Thanksgiving, Patti Marine is especially grateful to be building—building vessels, building innovation, and building strong relationships within the maritime community.
As Patti Marine reflects on its nearly five decades of service, the company highlights the many reasons to be thankful this season:
- Thankful to be building innovative infrastructure like the new 800-ton Dry Dock
- Thankful to be supporting the U.S. Navy and maritime partners across the region
- Thankful to be contributing to the Gulf Coast economy through skilled jobs and community involvement
- Thankful to be continuing a proud family legacy rooted in quality craftsmanship and award winning service
This year, Patti Marine celebrates not only a new operational milestone, but also the people and partnerships that make progress possible. The company looks forward to many more years of building—ships, solutions, and community strength.