26 Years on the Waterfront
MD Marine Electric was founded in 2000 as a two-person marine electrical shop serving tugboats and barges in the Puget Sound. Over the next two decades we grew alongside our clients, from local fishing vessels to NOAA research ships, Washington State Ferries, and U.S. Coast Guard cutters operating in polar waters.
Today our IBEW-credentialed electricians hold federal security clearances and carry the certifications required to work aboard government vessels, in restricted shipyard zones, and on mission-critical electrical systems where failure is not an option.
Marine Electrical Services
Vessel Electrical Systems
Complete new construction and refit electrical systems for commercial and government vessels.
Emergency Repair
24/7 emergency response for vessels in port or undergoing urgent operational requirements.
Ship-to-Shore Power
Shore power installation, connection systems, and cold-ironing solutions for berth-side operations.
Lighting Systems
Navigation, interior, and deck lighting: LED retrofit and full system replacements.
Motor Controls
Motor control centers, VFDs, starters, and automation for marine propulsion and auxiliary systems.
PA/GA Systems
Public address and general alarm system installation, testing, and commissioning on operational vessels.
Thermal Imaging
Infrared thermography inspections for predictive maintenance and critical system diagnostics.
Circuit Breaker Testing
Mechanical and electrical testing, calibration, and certification of marine circuit protection equipment.
Custom Control Panels
UL Listed 508A and 698A custom marine control panels built in our Tacoma panel shop.
Vessels We've Served
USCGC Polar Star
Electrical systems support for the nation's only operational heavy polar icebreaker.
NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette
Comprehensive electrical maintenance and systems upgrades on a NOAA oceanographic research vessel.
Washington State Ferries
Ongoing electrical service and retrofit work across the WSF fleet at Puget Sound terminals.
M/V NorthStar (TOTE)
PA/GA system installation on an operational container vessel for TOTE Maritime.
NOAA Ship Rainier
Electrical repairs and systems inspections supporting hydrographic survey operations.
NOAA Ship Fairweather
Shore-side electrical maintenance and emergency repair services for the NOAA fleet.
USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905)
$397K fire alarm and detection system installation as part of the WMEC 270 Service Life Extension Program.
Licensed, Certified & Cleared
Start Your Marine Electrical Project
Whether it's emergency repair or a full vessel refit, our team is ready to mobilize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vessels does MD Marine Electric work on?
We work across naval and federal vessel classes: Coast Guard cutters including the heavy polar icebreaker USCGC Polar Star, NOAA survey and research ships such as Rainier and Oscar Elton Sette, and operational commercial vessels like TOTE's M/V NorthStar. Scope ranges from full electrical refits to targeted system repairs.
Does MD Marine Electric install shipboard PA/GA systems?
Yes, and we are a non-proprietary marine PA/GA team. That means you are not locked into one manufacturer's hardware, pricing, or service schedule. We install, integrate, and repair public address and general alarm systems on operational vessels without forcing a single-vendor dependency on the owner.
Can you perform emergency or pierside electrical repairs?
Yes. Our marine electricians mobilize for emergency and pierside repair on operational vessels, because a vessel held at the pier on an electrical fault is losing money every hour. We scope, source, and execute the repair rather than diagnosing and handing it off.
Are your marine electricians union-credentialed?
Yes. MD Marine Electric is staffed by IBEW union electricians with marine-specific training and, where the contract requires, federal security clearances. Union credentialing matters on federal and shipyard work where labor standards and access requirements are written into the contract.
Do you work on Navy, Coast Guard, and NOAA vessels?
Yes. Federal vessel work is core to MDEG. We hold CAGE code 3FTM8 and JCP approval, and our past performance spans the Navy, the Coast Guard, and NOAA. Federal eligibility and security credentials are already in place, so award moves straight to mobilization.
Will you travel to our vessel or shipyard?
Yes. Marine work does not come to us, so we go to the vessel. Our teams mobilize to shipyards and piers across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Travel scope and logistics are confirmed at quote stage against your location and timeline.