Center Console News

North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District (NCFR) in Naples, Fla. has taken delivery of a newly built fireboat for fast fire and emergency response, including search and rescue.The 36-foot fireboat is an Ambar 1100 (AM 1100) multi-mission workboat from Silver Ships, based in Theodore, Ala. The vessel is custom-designed and -built for NCFR's daily operations along inland, intercoastal and gulf waters, said David Hunt, a the boatbuilder's business development team. “Finding effective…

The volunteer fire department in Greene, Maine recently took delivery of a 16-foot RIBCRAFT 4.8 rescue boat. This specialized RIB expands the department’s response capabilities while providing a safe platform for rescue missions. Funded by a grant through Firehouse Subs, RIBCRAFT worked with the department to build a boat that met all of their operational requirements.Located on several rivers and lakes in Androscoggin County, the department receives many distress calls from recreational boaters.

Bremerton, Wash. boatbuilder SAFE Boats International (SBI) announced it is teaming up with U.K.-based electric powertrains provider Vita Power to develop a 100% electric, emissions-free patrol boat.Under a new memorandum of understanding to bring electrification to the patrol boat market, the partners have adapted one of SAFE Boats’ most proven hull designs - the 23’ Center Console - to be propelled by Vita Power’s V300 electric motor and battery package. Dubbed the “223e”, this concept provides a zero-emission solution for operators who are working long hours at lower speeds…

Silver Ships recently completed the first deliveries under the Naval Sea Systems Command of seven 11-meter Open Center Console (OCC) vessels and two 8-meter Open Center Console (OCC) vessels, under the Naval Special Warfare Surface Support Craft Contract. The U.S. Navy has also conducted Pre-Delivery Inspection and Testing (PDIT) of three vessel variants included in the contract.The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Surface Support Craft (SSC) contract entails construction of five different vessel variants of the Ambar series rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB).

The fatal collision between the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Winslow Griesser and a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico last year resulted from the failure of either vessel to maintain a proper lookout, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.On August 8, 2022, the cutter Winslow Griesser and the center-console boat Desakata collided about four miles off the northern coast of Puerto Rico. The cutter, with a crew of 21, was traveling westward along the coast. The 23-foot boat, with two aboard, was heading northbound.

French, Canadian, and U.S. Forces, along with local responders, successfully conducted a search and rescue operation to save the operator and passengers of a distressed vessel off the coast of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on July 10.All 11 people from the center console fishing vessel are now safely in Rota.At 5:05 p.m. on July 10, Watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam's Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress from the operator of the 21-foot vessel Full 20 Horizon…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority held a ceremony to officially welcome a new survey vessel to its fleet in Columbus, Miss., April 28, 2023.The Miss Agnes, built by Theodore, Ala. based Silver Ships, is a custom 26-foot multibeam and single beam capable marine survey vessel that features an enclosed center console, a three-monitor survey station, and an air conditioner unit that is paired with a generator.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently took delivery of three more RIBCRAFT 5.85’s. With these additional boats, all of the Department’s long range fisheries patrol crafts now operate with a new RIBCRAFT 5.85 onboard. The rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) are deployed for boarding and enforcement up to 200 miles offshore. The delivery of these 19’ RIBs completes the fleet with four others already in service.The new purpose built shipboard RIBCRAFT RIBs renewed the CAFW’s aging and varied fleet.

The United States is providing Ukraine with a range of defense articles, including 23 welded-aluminum military vessels built by Louisiana-based Metal Shark, to help Ukraine to better protect its coastline, waterways and ports.Last week it was announced that six of the U.S. Navy’s new 40 PB maritime combat vessels would be sent to Ukraine as part of a $450 million security assistance package. Built by Metal Shark and delivered to the Navy in 2021 as part of a currently active defense contract for 50 vessels…

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) recently took delivery of two 19’ RIBCRAFT 5.85s. As the first true rigid inflatable boats (RIB) in their fleet, these versatile vessels will serve as rapid response deployable vessels throughout the state.With larger hard-sided patrol vessels already in use, the department was in need of a multipurpose watercraft that was easily handled and operated by a single officer that could still support a variety of operations regardless of the conditions.

Aluminum workboat builder Silver Ships, Inc. said it was awarded an $8.2 million delivery order as a result of being awarded a firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) single award contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command for the construction and delivery of up to 110 Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Surface Support Craft (SSC) and U.S. Coast Guard Special Purpose Craft, Law Enforcement (SPC-LE) vessels, in addition to other accessories, parts and training.

The Town of Hempstead Harbormaster on Long Island recently took delivery of the first Stormer Marine workboat built under a license agreement by SAFE Boats International. The 6.8-meter Porter 68S, delivered in late January, was recently put into service in the waters around the Town of Hempstead.Through this Jones Act-compliant licensing agreement between U.S.-based SAFE Boats International and the Netherlands-based Stormer Marine, SAFE Boats can now offer the full line of Stormer workboats to U.S.

The Vermont State Police recently took delivery of two specialized 25-foot’ RIBCRAFT 7.8 patrol boats. Delivered to the greater Burlington area, the rigid inflatable boats (RIB) will be used by the State Police Marine Division for all law enforcement operations including patrol, search and rescue, rapid response, victim recovery, and executive protection details on Lake Champlain.The two RIBs add to the agency’s existing fleet of RIBCRAFT vessels and will provide expanded on-water capabilities. As with the previous RIBCRAFT deliveries, these boats were configured and built to meet the diverse operational requirements of the Vermont Marine State Police.The new 7.8 features a center console with windscreen and extended aluminum T-top…

However readers might define “normal”, 2020 was anything but. But the business of rigid inflatable boats (RIB) has been going at full throttle.Matthew Velluto, Director of Business Development and Marketing at RIBCRAFT USA, based in Marblehead, Mass., described a business moving steadily ahead, though it’s had to weave and bob at times during 2020. “We’ve been able to stay open throughout 2020, with no disruptions on our side,” though he acknowledged hiccups further down in the company’s supply chain. He explains that the business was deemed to be “essential”.

Alabama-based boatbuilder Silver Ships said it has been awarded a contract award worth $6.12 million from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to supply six Riverine Patrol Boats (RPB).The Riverine Patrol Boat is a U. S. Navy Foreign Military Sale (FMS) that will benefit a Pacific region ally. The 40-foot vessels are a rugged, center console design and are powered by twin Yanmar 440-horsepower engines and waterjets. They are armed, armored and have been designed to carry 20 personnel…

Theodore, Ala. boat builder Silver Ships said it has recently delivered an Ambar 1100 oceangoing rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) for the Eglin Air Force Base in western Florida.Built to assist in ocean rescue and firefighting missions, the 36-foot-long vessel includes an enhanced center console model that features Silver Ships’ specially designed console with a front windscreen and additional bolster seating. Twin Mercury Verado 300-horsepower outboard motors enable the vessel…

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the welded-aluminum “52 Fearless Super Interceptor,” an offshore-capable, ultra-high-performance military patrol vessel delivering 70-knot top speeds. Production has commenced at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, La. production facility, with 15 vessels currently on order for overseas military and law enforcement interests.Metal Shark developed the 52 Fearless Super Interceptor in response to growing demand among military operators for larger and…

Having recently taken delivery of two new RIBCRAFT 5.85 rigid inflatable boats (RIB), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded the Massacusetts-based builder another contract, to supply and deliver shipboard RIBs for its fleet of long range fisheries patrol boats.The RIBs already delivered will be used by the agency's Southern District, which covers all of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The vessels will be operated by one or two wardens for patrol and enforcement operations.

D-Marin Business Bay Marina has taken delivery of a new Ribcraft 5.85-meter Pro rigid inflatable boat (RIB) to be used for operations support at the marina.Featuring a center console with extended canopy, removable crew seat, highly reinforced inflation tubes, the RIB provides open deck space for rescue operations, garbage collection as well as forward custom area for fitting a portable fire pump to be used in an emergency situation. Powered by Yamaha 115-horsepower outboard, the RIB can reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour, the builder said.

Shipbuilder Metal Shark reports it has seen increased business from law enforcement agencies, with 20 new law enforcement customers recently added and more than 35 welded aluminum law enforcement vessels either recently delivered or currently in production.Among its new builds, Metal Shark is producing five custom 23-foot Relentless center console patrol boats for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while continuing to deliver 26-foot and 28-foot Relentless center console…

US shipbuilder Metal Shark said it has delivered a new 36-foot welded-aluminum patrol boat to the Policia Municipal de San Juan (San Juan Police Department).The new patrol boat is a 36 Fearless stepped-bottom center console vessel built at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, La. production facility and custom-configured to meet the specialized requirements of its newest Puerto Rican customer. The high performance craft has been equipped with triple 300 HP Suzuki outboard engines and reaches a top speed in excess of 50 knots, the builder said.

These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities. When they do, they want ‘more bang for their buck,’ combining multiple missions – and the equipment that makes it all possible – onto one hull. That’s a tall order on the typically compact patrol boat style hulls that tend to be big on performance, but short on space for equipment that can demand a significant physical footprint. One such shipbuilder stepping up to plate to deliver on a raft of promises is Gulf Coast-based Metal Shark. Significantly expanding its presence in the fireboat market with a diverse range of fireboats currently in production for multiple customers…