Ice Floe, LLC (operating as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders) received a $357,317 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration under the Assistance to Small Shipyards program (CFDA 20.814) on August 19, 2025. The grant funds the purchase and installation of specialized capital equipment at the company's shipyard facility in Freeland, Washington, including a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router table, CNC laser table, dust collector, dehumidifier, and 15 multi-process welders with wire feeds. These deliverables are designed to enhance operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of ship construction and repair operations.
The equipment acquisition supports the program's objective to foster competitive operations and efficiency improvements at small domestic shipyards while enhancing employee skills and productivity in the maritime industry. The project is scheduled for completion by August 18, 2027, with no subrecipient activities identified. This represents the second grant award to Ice Floe under the Assistance to Small Shipyards program, following a prior $1.23 million award in 2022 that supported installation of welding and material handling equipment.