Craft Marine News

Ocean Craft Marine (OCM), a builder of boats for military, law enforcement and first responder maritime end-users, announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities and footprint in Maryland.According to OCM, the decision to expand its manufacturing capabilities comes in response to increasing demand. The move positions OCM to proactively cater to large contracts from the U.S. Navy (NAVSEA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the company said.“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our manufacturing capabilities in Maryland,” said Roy Nouhra, CEO of Ocean Craft Marine.

Annapolis, Md. boatbuilder Ocean Craft Marine has delivered a new law enforcement boat to the Black Diamond Police Department in Black Diamond, Wash.The 6.5-meter aluminum police boat is primed to tackle a wide range of tasks, including search and rescue operations, surveillance and law enforcement activities. It is equipped with cutting-edge navigational systems, state-of-the-art communication tools and specialized law enforcement equipment, the builder said."The addition of…

There's a new player in the Jones Act crew transfer vessel (CTV) market: Blue Ocean Transfers (BOT), based on Long Island, N.Y.The McQuilling-Partners-owned company is planning to build a fleet of CTVs to support the U.S. offshore wind industry as it ramps up to meet the Biden administration's goal of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030. "BOT is a marine logistics equipment manager, whose equipment is chartered and deployed by wind field developers and their suppliers," the company said in a statement.

Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program offices—PMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliaries…

Ocean Craft Marine (OCM) based in Annapolis, Md., has delivered a new police boat to the St. James Parish, La. Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT).The St. James Parish Sherriff’s Office is adding the Ocean Craft Marine 8M Law Enforcement (LE) Interceptor rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to its assortment of patrol craft in order to augment their riverine capabilities with the latest in high-performance hull designs. The Sheriff Office will utilize the new vessel to increase the effectiveness and timeliness of its response to domestic incidents…

The state of Texas is putting into service a fleet of new, highly capable patrol boats as it works to detect, disrupt and deter criminal activity along the Rio Grande."Now, more than ever, it is imperative that our law enforcement officers and Texas National Guard soldiers adopt innovative solutions," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a recent visit tour the state’s enhanced assets along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Abbott’s official website, the Governor has secured $4 billion in funding for Texas' border security efforts.

Ocean Craft Marine, a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) builder and maritime solution provider, will invest more than a quarter billion dollars over the next 10 years to establish the an independent maritime innovation laboratory, the company announced on Wednesday.The goal of the laboratory, called the Accelerator for Innovation in the Maritime Ecosystem (AIME), will be to enable ideation, collaboration, cross-pollination and integration among and between maritime industry peers in order to accelerate industry innovation especially within…

Ocean Craft Marine, the manufacturer of Amphibious Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), has signed a brand ambassador partnership with local Chicago-area boat enthusiasts Ted Widen and Mark Kaplan. Widen and Kaplan will represent Ocean Craft Marine in the Great Lakes region to increase brand awareness and provide sales and marketing of the AMP RHIBs to prospective customers in the Midwest."With a passion for the boating lifestyle, both Ted and Mark are the perfect ambassadors for the Ocean Craft Marine brand and our Amphibious RHIBs…

Annapolis, Md. boatbuilder Ocean Craft Marine (OCM) said it is preparing to deliver a custom-designed high-performance boat to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), Pacific Islands Division headquartered in Hawaii.The boat is a 9.5-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that was custom designed for the extreme offshore environs of the open Pacific Ocean waters and the various mission-profiles that are unique to NOAA OLE.OCM…

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”.

Last week Marine Jet Power (MJP) announced in New Orleans that it had taken the first order for its new X Series waterjets.MJP will deliver the first two production units of the 310 X to Metal Craft Marine (MCM) for the Kuwait 50-ft. Firestorm vessel it is building. The fire boat features Volvo D13 735 kW diesel engines and MJP 310 X stainless steel waterjet propulsion.Capable of 43 knots, this vessel is the fourth in a series of boats previously installed with MJP Ultrajet propulsion.

Volvo Penta of the Americas has been selected to supply the engines, drives and controls for the new U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boat Large (CBL) rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), which are being built at Metal Craft Marine.The boats will be powered by Volvo Penta three-liter 220 hp diesel Aquamatic sterndrive systems with HD controls.The Coast Guard awarded a Five-Year Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Metal Craft to build and deliver a minimum of 46 new seven-meter RIBs with deliveries to begin in 2019.

Marine services provider Marine and Towage Services Group Ltd. (MTS) said it has purchased MTS Terramare, a multipurpose landing craft. The vessel enables the delivery of cargo, construction equipment and other materials directly onto land, without the need for dedicated dockside facilities, while also being able to operate as a diving platform for offshore salvage and development work. The ability of MTS Terramare to be used as a floating platform for diving survey, or UXO works on cable routes…

The company provides marine organizations, boat builders and equipment manufacturers with relevant subject matter expertise plus an independent overview of how this sector is rapidly changing. For OEM boat builders and equipment manufacturers, Shock Mitigation addresses strategic product development requirements regarding high speed craft, marine and special projects. The aim is to work with new and experienced clients to develop new technologies, products and processes relevant to the end user.

Valley Power Systems has entered into a distributor agreement with Yanmar America Corporation for the sale and service of Yanmar’s commercial marine diesel engine line throughout the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. In business for over 65 years, Valley Power Systems provides power and propulsion products for the commercial and pleasure craft marine industries from manufacturers such as MTU, Electro-Motive (EMD), Scania, Northern Lights, Technicold and now Yanmar Commercial Marine.

The Seawork Maritime Professional of the Year award celebrates exemplary individuals within the maritime sector. The Maritime Professional of the Year 2016 winner is John Haynes, managing director of U.K. company Shock Mitigation. Haynes was nominated by James Ellison, who said, “John Haynes is a thought leader in the high speed craft, shock mitigation and hybrid marine power sectors with a unique ability to engage and create momentum globally. John has a passion for these sectors, rooted in his own maritime background. He has a genuine vision of improving people’s lives on boats.

U.S. companies continue to land lucrative contracts with domestic and foreign customers for vessels that are designed or specially customized to meet defense, police and anti-piracy needs. Governments here and abroad, meanwhile, continue to cut budgets. Many of the security craft to be delivered this year are built to save energy, reduce emissions and reach higher speeds and greater cruising ranges than their predecessors. They have the latest tracking and communications systems. And a few new vessels are remotely operated.

Shock Mitigation brings together market analysis, communication, training and specialist online resources that link manufacturers and international decision makers. The company provides marine organizations, boat builders and equipment manufacturers with relevant subject matter expertise plus an independent overview of how this sector is rapidly changing. The objective is to communicate clear information to all levels of audience. For OEM boat builders and equipment manufacturers…

Thomas Paine, the new 50-ft. aluminum patrol boat that joined the Massachusetts Environmental Police fleet in July, is the first commercial vessel in North America to be powered by Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. Built by Metal Craft Marine Inc., the new vessel is equipped with twin Volvo Penta D11 510hp marine diesel engines driving IPS650 steerable drive units. Power Products, the Volvo Penta Power Center in New England, was responsible for supplying the propulsion system and overseeing installation.

Many variables drive the design decisions for High Speed Craft and RHIBS. Commercial off the Shelf Solutions often tie all of these together. The world is changing fast and nowhere is this truer than in the fast boat sector. When selecting a new boat, the questions used to be relatively simple: how long, how many engines, what fuel type and how fast? Military and professional maritime organizations have been driving the evolution of extreme fast craft for over 30 years. Naval architects…

Building patrol boats is big business, especially for foreign defense needs. U.S. yards compete on a global stage in the all-important maritime security workboat arena. Patrol boats have continued to enhance bottom lines at many U.S. vessel builders this year through sales that are usually government directed or assisted. Budget cuts are a concern, but the sector’s federal funding remains high. Patrol boats are sold to other nations under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales or FMS program, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act to provide defense items.

Patrol And Combat Builders Fret About Budget Cuts But See Bright Spots. So far; so good. U.S. companies building patrol and combat craft aren’t happy about federal, state and city budget cuts but say they do see positive, demand-side factors. Much of their overseas business depends on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The FMS, which transfers defense equipment and services to other nations, is retrenching now, however. Here at home, states and municipalities have fewer funds, grants and matching grants to pay for patrol vessels, builders say.

On the occasion of Metal Craft Marine’s 25th anniversary, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ventured north, to the boat builder’s Kingston, Ontario headquarters, to discover the secret to its success. Metal Craft Marine is well regarded in maritime circles for designing and building high performance craft outfitted for the most demanding work conditions. While the company is diverse in its work scope and capability, its history lies in high-performance jet boats and its current core competency lies in the construction of tough fire boats and military boats for worldwide use.