Port Tenants: Grays Harbor

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Grays Harbor Port Tenant Westport Shipyard Under New Ownership

The Port of Grays Harbor Commission has approved the lease assignment of Westport Shipyard, Inc. to new owners Westport, LLC, a group that includes members of the Louisiana-based Chouest family. Westport Shipyard, Inc. leases Warehouse H from the port for the construction its W34 model 112-foot yachts.

Celebrating 50 years of business in 2014, Westport maintains three locations in Washington State, as well as a marina and sales office in Ft. Lauderdale. Employing more than 400 skilled employees, Westport has completed more than 140 yachts since 2000, one of them for Gary Chouest.

"Gary has always been passionate about our industry, and we are honored to count him as a customer, and now our majority owner as well," said Westport president Daryl Wakefield, who will remain in that position, along with General Manager Dave Hagiwara and the rest of Westport’s management team and employees.

The Chouest family of companies includes substantial holdings in its primary business in the oil and gas marine transportation industry worldwide, as well as Stuart (FL)-based American Custom Yachts and other affiliated companies.

Commented Commission President Stan Pinnick: "We are pleased to hear the hundreds of jobs tied to our local economy will be retained and we look forward to establishing a prosperous business relationship with the new ownership."

Yacht Launching at Westport’s Grays Harbor shipyard.
Photo/Port of Grays Harbor