Facility Overview
54 Riverview St, Portland, CT 06480, United States
info@birdon.us
Birdon’s Portland shipyard is the company’s East Coast hub for U.S. Coast Guard vessel sustainment and defence maritime programs. The 31-acre waterfront facility on the Connecticut River anchors the 47’ Motor Lifeboat Service Life Extension Program (MLB-SLEP) and provides broader capability in vessel construction, overhaul and lifecycle support.
The site is equipped with a 30,000 sq ft production hall, large indoor fabrication shops, certified welding procedures, and extensive marina infrastructure including 120 slips, moorings and heavy-lift capability. This enables the Portland team to deliver heavy-duty vessel refits, new construction, and full-rate production runs to defence specifications.
As a core site in Birdon’s five-facility U.S. network, Portland works in tandem with the Bellingham, WA shipyard on the MLB-SLEP program, with approximately 85 of the program’s 125 personnel based in Connecticut.
Core Capabilities
Vessel Life-Extension & Refit
Heavy-duty refurbishment of military vessels, returning aging Coast Guard lifeboats to like-new condition and extending operational service life
Manufacturing & Fabrication
Steel and aluminium vessel construction to defence specifications, from prototype builds to full-rate production runs
Ship Repair & Integration
Engine overhaul, structural repairs, and installation of modern electronics including communications, navigation and C5I systems
Waterfront & Logistics Support
Marina infrastructure and heavy-lift capability for vessel staging, deployment and sea trials on the Connecticut River
Program Management & Support
Co-located teams handling scheduling, budgeting and client liaison, fully integrated with Birdon’s enterprise systems and U.S. network. Spares, field services, configuration management and sustainment planning
Flagship Program
Key programs and projects delivered from this facility include:
- 47-foot Motor Lifeboat Service Life Extension Program (MLB-SLEP) for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Local Impact
Birdon’s Portland shipyard contributes to the Connecticut community through long-term regional investment, skilled workforce development, and a commitment to veteran employment. The facility supports dozens of trade and professional roles and is integrated with Birdon’s broader U.S. apprenticeship and training programs.
Compliance and Certifications
- AS9100D Quality Management Systems
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems
