You could have found U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin crisscrossing Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday for a series of listening sessions on maritime-related concerns. The Democratic senator from Wisconsin first visited with members of the United States Coast Guard to discuss the challenges they face between breaking ice on the Great Lakes to finding affordable childcare for their families. Baldwin said she appreciated the insight from Vice Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan and the Coast Guard members on housing and childcare concerns.

From there she headed to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding where she was able to meet with company officials like Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Vice President and General Manager Todd Thayse to discuss concerns in the industry like COVID-19. Baldwin called Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding “an industry leader” and stated her continued support for “strong Buy America policies to support the domestic shipbuilding industrial base.” Fincantieri Marine Group CEO Dario Deste called Baldwin’s visit “a great reminder to our shipyard teammates that the work they do each day is critical to the U.S. maritime industry.” News of the visit came on the same day Fincantieri Marine Group announced that Bay Shipbuilding would be partnering with Crowley Maritime Corporation on the largest liquefied natural gas bunkering barge ever constructed in the United States. 

Photos courtesy Monica Salmeri, Fincantieri Marine Group. Descriptions by Eric Dent, Fincantieri Marine Group

1 (above): Dario Deste (left), president and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and Todd Thayse, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding tour newly constructed facilities at FBS in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Aug. 31, 2021.  Baldwin was in Door County to meet with local Coast Guard members, visit Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and conduct a listening session with maritime industry leaders.

2: Todd Thayse, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, explains a shipbuilding process to Sen. Tammy Baldwin and members of the U.S. Coast Guard during an Aug. 31, 2021 visit to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.  Baldwin was in Door County to meet with local Coast Guard members, visit Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and conduct a listening session with maritime industry leaders.

3: Sen. Tammy Baldwin, wearing a red helmet, walks with leaders of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and members of the U.S. Coast Guard during an Aug. 31, 2021, visit to FBS’ Sturgeon Bay shipyard.  Baldwin was in Door County to meet with local Coast Guard members, visit Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and conduct a listening session with maritime industry leaders.

4:  Sen. Tammy Baldwin, wearing a red helmet, walks with leaders of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and members of the U.S. Coast Guard during an Aug. 31, 2021, visit to FBS’ Sturgeon Bay shipyard.  Baldwin was in Door County to meet with local Coast Guard members, visit Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and conduct a listening session with maritime industry leaders.

5: Todd Thayse, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, discusses shipbuilding process to Sen. Tammy Baldwin and members of the U.S. Coast Guard during an Aug. 31, 2021 visit to Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.  Baldwin was in Door County to meet with local Coast Guard members, visit Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and conduct a listening session with maritime industry leaders.