Southwest Marine contributes to San Diego’s defense economy with its ship repair and maintenance operations, which encompass 23 acres by San Diego Bay and more than 16 acres of water area. Since 1977, the company has developed expertise in the long-term maintenance of Amphibious Landing Ships and Landing Platform Docks, called the backbone of the Navy’s land-water operations. The shipyard here employs 1,200 and has a payroll of $53 million. “We’ve grown basically because the Navy is in the midst of a modernization program for three LPDs that are nearly 30 years old,” says Robert Kilpatrick, president and general manager.