Bridge Erection Boat News

All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) has been named the West Coast shipyard by Birdon America, Inc., for Phase I of a contract to perform a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) on a number of United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) fleet of Motor Life Boats (MLB).AAM is currently working on two MLBs at its shop, with a plan to ramp up to eight MLB vessels each year during Phase II. Birdon America was awarded the prime contract to perform Service Life Extension work on all MLBs in the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet.The current in-service MLBs were designed by the USCG and built from 1997 to 2003.

Birdon America Inc. has been awarded a $190 Million dollar contract to perform a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) fleet of 47 foot Motor Lifeboats (MLB).The contract is a firm-fixed price (FFP), indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) for the design, development, testing, and upgrade/build of USCG MLBs over a period of 5 years with an option for an additional 5 years. The current in-service MLBs were designed by the USCG and built from 1997 to 2003. These boats, designated 47B MLB, are now approaching the end of their original 25-year service life. The goal of the SLEP is to extend the 47…

Longtime waterjet propulsion equipment provider NAMJet introduces key advancements for the workboat sector. Back in 2011, when boat builder Birdon went looking for a propulsion system that they could utilize in the bid phases of a multi-boat contract with the U.S. Army, they landed on NAMJet propulsion systems and its TRAKTOR Jet line of high-thrust marine jets. Subsequent to that, and because their Army Bridge Erection boat (BEB) concept, powered by NAMJet, performed so well, Birdon went ahead and purchased the company. Since then, NAMJet has gone on to blaze its own trail for propulsion solutions over a wide range of workboats. Denver-based NAMJet provides waterjet technology designed for a wide variety of commercial…

NAMJet’s tractor jets seal the deal on a significant military boat building contract. The Army’s one-of-a-kind bridge erection boats fill an obscure, shallow draft workboat niche, while showcasing capabilities that someday could be commercially viable. When the U.S. Army turned to industry in its quest to design the next generation, prototype bridge erection boat, the ensuing competition attracted no less than three industry competition teams, all of whom eventually submitted prototypes in 2010. Birdon America, Inc., teaming with a (now) wholly owned NAMJet propulsion group, was one of the players. These models were then handed over to the U.S. Army for extensive testing. Eventually, in March of this year, Birdon won the US Army Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) platform contract.

Marine waterjet manufacturer NAMJet says it has been contracted to provide propulsion systems for Birdon America's US Army Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) 400-boat replacement platform. At the same time NAMJet announces its manufacturing and operational HQ has moved to Denver, Colorado. Bridge Erection Boats are primarily used to provide propulsion and maneuverable thrust to support temporary floating bridges often made necessary when existing bridge crossings have been destroyed in military conflict.

Kvichak Marine Industries in Seattle Washington announces the appointment of Kevin Kirby as their new proposal manager. Kevin has been with Kvichak for over 2 years as a project lead engineer. His most recent projects include the recently launched 67’ Connor Foss Pilot Boat, a 54’ hydrofoil catamaran, the 30’ Rapid Response Skimmers and the Bridge Erection Boat prototypes currently undergoing testing by the US Army. Prior to Kvichak Kevin was with SAFE boats for 8 years where he worked on multiple aluminum boat projects for the United States Navy…

Kvichak Marine Industries of Seattle, WA, recently delivered three Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) prototypes to the United States Army, Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM).  Kvichak was chosen along with two other companies to construct the prototype boats.  Each boat is currently undergoing extensive testing and evaluations at the Army Test Center in Aberdeen, MD. The testing process will last for up to 270 days.  TACOM intends to award a contract for a fleet of approximately 440 BEB crafts to replace its existing fleet in 2012.

Kvichak Marine Industries in Seattle Washington announces the appointment of Tim Kolb to their sales team.  Kolb has been with Kvichak for five years as a project manager.  His most recent projects included three 72-ft pilot boats for the Dutch Pilotage Organization in the Netherlands and the Bridge Erection Boat prototypes currently undergoing testing by the US Army, Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command.  Tim brings to us 10 years of experience in the aluminum boat building business.

FBM Babcock Marine Ltd has appointed Nick Pearson as commercial manager and Craig Patrick has joined the company as sales manager for commercial vessels. Nick Pearson has joined FBM Babcock Marine from Three Quays Marine Services where he was business development manager. He is a Master Mariner who has spent his career in the marine industry, working with P&O, Stena Line, SWATH International and Samsung Heavy Industries. He brings with him a wide experience in the high-speed craft industry and will be responsible for FBM Babcock Marine's sales team and commercial operations. Craig Patrick has joined FBM Babcock Marine from Maritime Dynamics where he was their sales manager.

FBM Babcock Marine has been awarded an additional $1.28 million contract for the provision of a full Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package relating to the current US Army Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) refurbishment project. The ILS package award includes new technical manuals, parts breakdown books, operational manuals and training packages. The modification is an extension to the original contract awarded in October 2001, for which FBM Babcock Marine is the propulsion integrator for the US Coastguard led refurbishment work on the fleet of FBM Babcock US Army BEB's. FBM Babcock has also subsequently been awarded additional work to supply further components for the vessel refurbishment, including the replacement of all buoyancy material in the vessels.