BOATBUILDERS

American Boatbuilders Association Selects Attwood Fuel Systems

Lowell, Mich.  – The American Boatbuilders Association recently selected Attwood Fuel Systems as the preferred supplier of EPA-certified fuel systems. The American Boatbuilders Association joins the United Marine Manufacturers Association (UMMA) and Independent Boat Builders Inc. (IBBI) and the industry’s leading independent boat builders in selecting Attwood to ensure member builders meet the EPA emissions control requirements for marine fuel systems. “Attwood Fuel Systems were selected as the preferred solution, based on exclusive safety features, extensive component and system validation, ease of implementation and industry-leading implementation support and value,” said Jay Patton, president of ABA. Since 1992, the American Boatbuilders Association, through its collective buying power, has obtained materials at the lowest possible cost for its boat builder members. ABA boat builders produce more than 15 percent of all U.S.-built boats more than 16 feet in length, the association said.  

Strategic Marine Delivers Two Windfarm Service Vessels

Specialist boatbuilder Strategic Marine delivered the Njord Puffin to offshore windfarm service fleet operator Njord Offshore for deployment in Northern Europe. “The Puffin is the sixth in a series of eight vessels ordered, a strong signal of our commitment to the global windfarm industry,” said Rodney Davies, Operations Manager at Strategic Marine. “Last week we delivered the fifth, the Njord Petrel. Vessels seven and eight are due for delivery in early 2014.”

Skipjack En Route to West Coast

Penn Maritime's newest vessel, Skipjack, is currently en-route from the builder, Thoma-Sea Boatbuilder, on the Gulf coast to the west coast. It is pushing a new 90,000 barrel tank-barge. A sister ship is expected to deliver from the same yard in October this year. These are a part of Penn's five boat order from the yard.

Real Ships Yachts Expands in European

Real Ships, the custom steel boatbuilder in Alabama, now offers its American-made yachts to the European cruising market. Aventura, a 77 ft Expedition produced by Joe Johnson’s Real Ships, debuted at the October Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Heikki Luoma’s Compass International, Palma de Mallorca-based dealership in Spain, will now provide exclusive European representation for Real Ships yachts. Compass International has been offering brokerage, mooring, charter

First of Five ATBs Nearing Completion at Penn Maritime

With delays in getting parts for the assembly there was a hold up in the delivery of the first of Penn Maritime’s new tugs from Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders. Now the first of five, M/V Skipjack, is nearing completion and will deliver in May. In a near assembly-line production process the second vessel, M/V Coho, will launch sometime in May and deliver in August. The other tugs are already taking shape and will follow on a regular schedule.

NMMA Recognizes JetPac Outboard Propulsion System at IBEX

At the International BoatBuilders~ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recognized the Diesel JetPac~ Outboard Propulsion System with the NMMA 2003 Innovation Award for engine and propulsion systems October at IBEX, held in Miami, Fla. The JetPac~ from Outboard Propulsion Systems, LLC is a revolutionary new, self-contained propulsion system designed as an alternative to prop driven

Nichols Bros. To Build Catamaran For Service On San Francisco Bay

The Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service on San Francisco Bay ordered a new 315-passenger catamaran ferry from Nichols Bros. Boatbuilders. Measuring 112 x 33 ft. (34.1 x 10 m), the catamaran, which is being designed by International Catamarans of Australia, is expected to go into service in the fall 2001. The vessel will become the newest member of Nichols-built catamarans that are currently operating between the Alameda area and the San Francisco ferry terminal

Halmatic to Supply Patrol Boats

U.K. boatbuilder Halmatic, part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group, has recently secured a contract to build 20 Halmatic Cougar Enforcer 33 Ultra Fast Patrol Boats for the Royal Oman Police Coastguard. The new craft are to be used for coastal patrol and interception duties along Oman’s coastline. The new patrol boats are based on the Cougar 33 raceboat deep “Vee” hull form. Powered by twin Yanmar inboard marine diesels driving Hamilton waterjets the boats will achieve service speeds in excess

Simrad Standard fit on Scand Boats

Simrad has been chosen by Scand Boats in Norway, for the supply of its new CP31 chartplotter as standard fit on all newbuilds for 2005 and 2006. This amounts to a total of at least 240 boats for the period. "Simrad's ability to adopt to our particular needs as a boatbuilder combined with the added value that the equipment will bring to our boats were key factors in choosing the CP31 as standard for the next two years," says Tor Egil Baardsen, owner and manager of Scand Boats.

Venture Boat Co. Relaunches Itself on Market

Under leadership of new owner, Lee Heaton, US-based Venture Boat Company features modernized new additions to its range. Venture Boat Company has undergone a complete modernization, adding a number of innovative improvements to their existing models, introducing new models and moving production to the world-famous American Custom Yachts (ACY) facility in Stuart, Florida. Through their new partnership with American Custom Yachts