The Wrangell Port Commission is having serious doubts about the technical and mechanical aspects of a hoist bid from an Italian firm that recently won in the bidding process for a new 300-ton lift to be installed at The Marine Service Center in downtown.
Ascom S.p.A., an Italian firm that builds travel lifts for clients in Europe and has sold at least one model to a yard in the Gulf Coast, made the lowest bid for the machine at $1,315,000, while the Canadian-based Kendrick Equipment turned in a $1,714,044 bid proposal.
In his report to the commissioners, Harbormaster Greg Meissner explained that the city is working with an engineering firm to ensure that whichever lift system the city buys it will be worth every dollar and last for decades to come.
“Staff is working with PND (Engineering) to investigate the two boat lift bids,” Meissner’s report states. “We are trying to be as prudent as can be since it is a lot of money. We don’t want to spend more than we have to but don’t want to buy a lesser machine either. This may take a couple of weeks to do. We will bring you a recommendation as soon as we can.”
Meissner also pointed out that the amount of money that might be saved by purchasing a less expensive lift might not be worth it in the long run.
“I think we are all on the same page and want the best equipment for the money that is the safest,” Meissner added. “Because it was a sizeable (money) difference, we had to do due diligence and see why it was a $400,000 difference between the two bids. As much as I’d love to save $400,000 and spend it on something else, if we’re getting a lesser machine, I’m not in favor of that.”
Asking for any additional comment, commission president Brennon Eagle elicited a strong response from commissioner Clay Hammer on the prudence of buying a travel lift from a closer, better known supplier than the Italian firm.
“With American or western-built equipment it seems like we hold our manufacturing to a different standard of professionalism,” Hammer said. “We have OSHA and everything to make the workplace safe, and we just hold everything to a much higher standard that the Europeans do. As a consequence our equipment ends up costing more. I think it’s better equipment and I am very uncomfortable with Europeans competing in our market, especially when it comes to government money.”
Meissner also informed the commission that the marine hoist was briefly out of commission for maintenance – and that staffing will return to normal this week.
“The harbor has been short staffed lately and will be back to full staff starting (this week,) Meissner added. “Day shift got a little behind on snow removal at the beginning of the week as Jim (Early) was working with the city mechanic to change out two Travelift tires. Things are back on track now.”
The Harbor Department is also busy clearing floats, piers and parking lots due to the heavy snowfall last week. According to Meissner, staff will be looking for improper electrical cords and checking for stray current.
A workshop to review upgrades at Shoemaker Bay was also tentatively set for early next year – a move praised by commissioner Clay Hammer.
“The last few times I have been out there, it has been so worn down, we’re going to have to decide what we’re going to do,” Hammer said. “Do we consolidate it down to the very best floats and get everything else out of there and just have a place to tie up to pilings… until we can come up with the financing to replace the floats? My concern is the liabilities.”
Commissioners Eric Yancey and John Yeager were not present during the meeting.
The next regular meeting of the commission is set for Thursday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
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