2 minutes - magazine 01 | 2026
Heavy lifting at the last frontier
In the remote Aleutian Islands, where wind and waves dictate everyday life, Alpha Welding and Boat Repair Inc. took delivery of an LRT 1090-2.1 last year. According to company president Ian Bagley, the Liebherr rough terrain crane is “the most modern machine the island has seen in decades.”
Sounds like an exaggeration? But it quickly becomes clear what Bagley means: just 9,000 people – half of them permanently – inhabit the remote archipelago that stretches over 1,750 kilometres off the southern tip of Alaska.
The crane from Alpha Welding and Boat Repair is used for various tasks around Dutch Harbor in Alaska.
More than half of the population lives in the town of Unalaska on the island of the same name, which can only be reached by air or sea. There are no road connections between the islands, which makes logistics considerably more difficult.
However, volcanic terrain, mountainous landscapes, frequent earthquakes and a harsh climate are no problem for the rough terrain, powerful and robust LRT cranes, which offer maximum safety. This is ensured by the standard push bar monitoring system, which automatically detects the support status and transfers it to the control system of the 90-tonne crane. In addition, the new rough terrain crane from Alpha Welding and Boat Repair scores points with its high lifting capacities and a 47-metre-long telescopic boom. The automatic VarioBase® support system and all-wheel drive enable safe and flexible working in confined spaces and off-road.
Main use in fishing
While sheep, reindeer and bison were once bred on Unalaska, today’s economy is mainly based on fishing. This is where the crane comes into play – for example, when lifting fishing equipment as well as converting and repairing fishing vessels. Thanks to the enormous lifting capacity and reach of the new crane, the docked vessels can be serviced across their entire loading area without having to be turned. The LRT 1090-2.1 will also be used to lift loads on construction sites. “The rough terrain crane is a huge asset for our local businesses and construction projects,” Bagley is certain.
Between storm and calm: the Aleutian Islands, home to bald eagles and now also to a Liebherr LRT 1090-2.1 rough terrain crane.
Founded in Dutch Harbour in 1990 as a small welding shop, Alpha Welding and Boat Repair has grown to become one of the largest local manufacturing facilities in western Alaska. In addition to welding, manufacturing, machining and converting commercial fishing boats, as well as repairing ships and docks, the 13-strong company supports the largest fishing port in the United States – at least in terms of annual throughput of around 280,000 tonnes of fish and crab.
This article was published in the UpLoad magazine 01 | 2026.
