Paducah Marine Ways has announced its intention to construct a new fabrication shop and also an adjoining propeller repair shop in order to modernize and improve the efficiency of its efforts on the Ohio River for the marine industry. The total of 14,000-square-foot facilities will be constructed of pre-engineered metal and will be serviced by 15-ton overhead cranes with a 25-foot lift. The structures will have environmental control (heating and ventilation) suitable for housing numerical control equipment which will perform precision burning operations. The first phase will also be used for rudder fabrication and repair. According to Jim Causey, general manager of Paducah Marine Ways, the construction of the second phase of the facility will enable Paducah Marine Ways to provide "full service" propeller straightening, balancing, pitching, reboring, and repair, as well as rudder repair and rework.
Paducah Marine Ways is one of three major inland shipyards operated by Pott Industries Inc., a St. Louis-headquartered subsidiary of Houston Natural Gas Corporation.