Bollinger suing Northrop over cutter contract

[unhappycamper]

Bollinger had a joint venture with Northrop Grumman to extend the length of 49 Island Class cutters from 110 feet to 123 feet. The cutter Matagorda, shown above at its recommissioning in 2004, was the first 110-foot cutter to make the transformation.


Bollinger suing Northrop over cutter contract
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 21, 2008 7:01:20 EDT

NEW YORK — Bollinger Shipyards Inc. has filed a $12 million lawsuit against the shipbuilding arm of defense giant Northrop Grumman Corp. in a dispute involving the renovation of Coast Guard cutters that were later taken out of service.

Lockport, La.-based Bollinger had a joint venture with Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Inc. to extend the length of 49 Coast Guard cutters from 110 feet to 123 feet. But the first eight boats produced under that contract were taken out of service when the frames cracked on their maiden voyages.

The renovations also were performed by Halter Marine Inc. of Gulfport, Miss. The $200 million contract that covered the work was canceled by the Coast Guard in July 2005.

The vessels, called Island Class cutters, were originally built between 1984 and 1991 by Bollinger.

The federal court complaint, which asks for arbitration, claims that Bollinger was ordered by Northrop Grumman to stop work on the contract after Bollinger had delivered six boats and had begun work on six others.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_bollinger_northrop_102008/%2e