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Introduction: The Complexity of Coastal Property Repairs

It has never been straightforward to undertake repairs and expansions on Maine's coastal properties. Property owners are compelled to collaborate with a limited number of firms specializing in marine construction to get their projects designed, permitted, and constructed. However, this year, the situation became even more challenging following a series of storms last winter that caused widespread damage across the state. Particularly along the coast, two storms in January wreaked havoc, tearing out many docks and wharves and severely eroding parts of the shoreline.

Impact on Prock Marine

For companies like Prock Marine of Rockland, this created a significant backlog. Previously, it took the firm 10 to 14 months to complete projects such as dock rebuilds and shoreline stabilization. But with the influx of repairs from last winter's storms, the timeline roughly doubled, ranging from 18 months to two years. Project manager Sean Kelly stated that while the company could potentially shorten this timeline by expanding its staff from 35 to 40 people, construction firms like Prock have faced difficulties in filling positions even as their more experienced staff approach retirement. "We'd love to assemble another crew, another barge crew, but it's hard to maintain what we've got," Kelly said.

Need for More Workers in Marine Construction

It is now widely recognized that Maine requires more workers to replace those aging out of vital industries like construction and other trades. State officials have recently singled out marine construction as one of the areas most in need of new workers if Maine's lucrative working waterfronts are to be prepared for the more severe storms expected with climate change. According to the new four-year climate action plan released this month by Governor Janet Mills' administration, "Increased contractor capacity, particularly in marine construction and the engineering, planning, and permitting components of these projects, will be critical." The report calls for studying the recent storms and working with industries, organizations, and community colleges to expand the number of builders capable of coastal construction. More broadly, it aims to create opportunities for 7,000 new registered apprentices to serve as the state's "climate-ready workforce" by 2030 and increase the number of women working in construction, among other steps.

Limited Options for Coastal Property Owners

As it stands, coastal property owners have few firms to turn to when trying to rebuild after storms. In Stonington's fishing port, where the busy local lobster co-op suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage in January, economic and community development director Linda Nelson stated, "There is Prock Marine and there is Prock Marine, pretty much, and if you can get Prock Marine, if you have a job that's big enough and lucrative to get on their schedule, great." Nelson, who is also the co-chair of a state commission studying how to make Maine's infrastructure more resilient against similar storms, emphasized that Maine will need more "human and financial resources" to quickly repair essential infrastructure such as roads, docks, bridges, and others in the wake of severe storms. There is also the broader challenge of rebuilding this infrastructure to be higher and more protected from future damage.

Unique Challenges in Marine Construction

Several factors make marine construction more laborious than traditional land-based projects. These include additional permitting requirements, the need to work off barges, and the difficulty of ensuring that structures will remain level on the ocean floor while withstanding tides, corrosion, and other forces. At Prock Marine, Kelly said there is no one-size-fits-all solution to bringing in more workers. However, he welcomes the efforts of the state and private organizations to create a pipeline for young Mainers to enter the trades. He is now working with the state Labor Department to start the company's own apprenticeship program. He is hopeful that more students from the state's schools will recognize the value of receiving vocational training and entering the trades, especially at an established company where they can receive ongoing training, mentorship, and a full set of benefits. "Now the trick is to get the people who are interested to walk through the door and fill out an application," he said.