C&C Announces New Aluminum Division

C&C Marine and Repair Announces New Aluminum Division Belle Chasse, La. — After nearly 30 years in the marine construction and repair industry, C&C Marine and Repair is expanding its capabilities with the launch of a dedicated aluminum fabrication division.

The new division will be led by Darren Bolotte, who has more than 40 years of experience in aluminum vessel manufacturing. A third-generation welder and fabricator, Bolotte previously owned and operated Aluma Marine & Fabrication for more than 23 years.

“I have been incredibly impressed with C&C Marine’s facility and the capabilities of its team,” said Darren Bolotte. “This is a tremendous opportunity to bring my aluminum experience and expertise to the shipyard while also learning from this talented group of people. I am truly honored to be part of C&C Marine,” said Bolotte. “The company’s reputation for delivering high-quality vessels on time is well known throughout the industry.”

“We have been considering the establishment of an aluminum division at C&C Marine for some time, but it was imperative that we have the right person leading the operation,” said Tony Cibilich, owner and president of C&C Marine and Repair. “I approached Darren about taking on this new role with the company, knowing he would be an excellent fit to lead this new division for C&C Marine.”

Historically, C&C Marine has focused primarily on steel fabrication. With the company’s planned expansion and continued growth of the shipyard’s footprint, C&C Marine now has the space and capacity to efficiently build aluminum components and vessels.

The addition of aluminum fabrication will complement C&C Marine’s existing steel capabilities and allow the company to provide a broader range of services to both existing and new customers. In addition to expanding C&C Marine’s ability to pursue aluminum vessel construction, the new division will enable the shipyard to provide aluminum fabrication, repair, modification, and component work in support of both new construction and existing vessels. By bringing these capabilities in-house, C&C Marine will be able to serve a broader range of its customers’ needs within a single facility, while giving existing customers greater flexibility to utilize the shipyard for projects involving both steel and aluminum construction.

“We believe the ability to combine our steel fabrication capabilities with dedicated aluminum fabrication will create significant new opportunities for C&C Marine,” said Matthew Dobson, head of engineering for C&C Marine and Repair. “That flexibility will be especially valuable as we continue to expand the services we provide to our existing customers while also growing our customer base.”

C&C Marine has already begun putting the new division’s capabilities to work, including construction of a 50-foot aluminum crew boat and support for several existing projects within the shipyard.

A dedicated aluminum fabrication bay is currently under construction and is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2026. The new facility will provide the space and infrastructure necessary to support expanded aluminum vessel construction, fabrication and repair work. More importantly, the dedicated operation will integrate aluminum fabrication into C&C Marine’s broader shipbuilding and repair capabilities, allowing the company to support customers with a more comprehensive range of services. Whether a project involves a complete aluminum vessel, aluminum components for a larger construction project, vessel modifications or repair work, the new division will give C&C Marine greater flexibility to respond to the evolving needs of both its existing customers and new markets.

The launch of the Aluminum Division represents another step in C&C Marine and Repair’s continued growth and commitment to expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of its current and future customers.