US Shipyard Grants Back Delta Marine Lift and Burger Yacht Engineering

Two yacht builders feature in the federal awards

Delta Marine and Burger Boat Company are among the shipyards receiving funding through the US Maritime Administration's fiscal-year 2026 Small Shipyard Grant Programme. The official award list includes approximately $1.509 million for a 620-ton Travelift at Delta Marine in Seattle and $568,720 for digital engineering systems at Burger in Manitowoc.

The wider programme awarded $35.18 million to 45 shipyards in 24 states and one US territory. The government announced the recipients in August, so this October industry review examines how the already-announced decisions could affect future superyacht building and refit capability rather than describing them as new awards made today.

A grant allocation is not evidence that any equipment has already been installed or commissioned. The yard's lifting arrangements, ground infrastructure and staff training still have to support the eventual machinery before owners can rely on an increase in operating capacity.

Delta Marine's planned 620-ton Travelift

Delta Marine's award is precisely $1,508,596.93, earmarked for a 620-ton Travelift according to the government recipient list. Such machinery can influence whether a yard can haul particular yachts for hull, propulsion or underwater-equipment projects, subject to the ship's displacement and site limitations.

Delta's existing published refit information describes covered bays, substantial waterfront space and a 440-ton Marine Travelift. The federally supported 620-ton machine is a proposed capital improvement, not a larger installed lift that should already appear in the yard's operating specification.

Haul-out capacity is especially important for owners planning stabiliser repairs, shaft work, underwater painting or a class survey that requires access below the waterline. Early technical discussions about a yacht's lift points, weight and schedule remain essential even when a new machine becomes available.

Burger chooses digital production control

Burger Boat Company's $568,720 award takes a different direction, supporting a ShipConstructor-based engineering system. MARAD lists ten powerful engineering workstations, five laptops for managers, ten tablets to use around the yard and laser-scanning technology for inspection and validation.

Digital engineering can help keep construction drawings aligned with the equipment that tradespeople actually install. When accurate measurements and change records are available to a project team, problems involving pipe routes, machinery access or clashes between separate services may be identified earlier.

Laser scanning can also be valuable when an older yacht returns for a substantial refit. Spaces may differ from original drawings after years of alterations, and precise digital measurements can assist the yard in developing a realistic plan before new fittings are fabricated.

Implications for owners and shipyard staff

Burger's established eight-acre Manitowoc yard already has heated construction bays, joinery facilities, fabrication shops and a 500-metric-ton Travelift. Its planned computer and scanning investment is therefore an enhancement to an existing full-service operation, not the construction of a new shipyard.

Owners benefit when specialist teams can provide reliable estimates, safe handling procedures and clear coordination between naval architects, engineers, joiners and inspectors. Increased lifting capacity and more accurate engineering records address different parts of that work, each depending on experienced people for its value.

The federal record provides exact award figures and intended projects but does not establish when Delta's new lift will enter service or Burger's new engineering equipment will be fully deployed. The accompanying photograph shows Burger's current shipyard, not a claim that the funded technology is already installed.