C Raymond Hunt And Associates News

Export hulls – through the FMS Program, as well as Direct Sales – are a key piece of the business model. Even as the crash in energy prices feeds the oversupply of offshore support vessels – a key staple of U.S. boatbuilding diets – and the dwindling backlogs of some so-called ‘second tier’ yards,  a number of U.S. boat builders are still seeing robust demand for security vessels. Separately, tightening federal, state, municipal and overseas budgets are being trumped by the increased need for security craft that can perform more than one function.

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, is building the first of three Chesapeake Class pilot boats for coastal and offshore patrol operations and port security provided by the Colombian Department of the Navy. Designed by C. Raymond Hunt and Associates, the all-aluminum deep-V hull measures 56.6 feet overall, with a 17.8-foot beam and 3-foot draft and will have a top speed of 27 knots. The launch will be powered by twin MAN R6-800CRM diesel engines, each delivering 800 Bhp at 2,100 rpm. The engines turn Ultra Jet UJ-452 water jets through ZF 360 gears. The boat is equipped with a 16kW Alaska Diesel genset. At the transom is a winch-operated, rotating davit over the water-level recessed platform for rescue operations.

SeaMarine of Monticello, Ark., recently built and delivered a 30-ft. all-welded aluminum Emergency Response Vessel to the Hayden Lake Fire Protection District in Hayden Lake, Idaho. SeaArk was named the successful builder in a competitive bidding process. The process will be used on Hayden Lake for fire fighting and rescue. Hayden lake's new fireboat is SeaArk's Dauntless model, which is designed by C. Raymond Hunt and Associates and features a deep-V hull, wide chines, flared bow and lifting strakes to provide a stable, dry ride in rough operating conditions. The hull is constructed of durable, all-welded aluminum. The new SeaArk fireboat is outfitted with a 1,500 gpm @ 150 psi Hale fire pump driven by Marine Power 350CID, 327 hp @ 4,600 rpm gasoline engine.

SeaArk Marine inc. of Monticello, Ark., is a company ideally positioned to benefit from the influx of patrol boat orders expected in the wake of tightening waterway security. The company is well-regarded for quality of construction and support, and has been the beneficiary of some large deals for new boats. Founded in 1959 as MonArk Boat Co., SeaArk Marine, Inc. has a long and varied history in the aluminum boat building industry. The company got its start when Zach McClendon started building riveted, aluminum flat bottom Jon boats. After a few years and several additions to the product line, the company started selling riveted and all-welded boats to entities such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Fish and Wildlife Departments.