The Specialists: A Quartet of S. Louisiana Yards Builds Most U.S. Crew/Supply Boats
The area directly south of Lafayette, La., is authentic bayou country, known for Cajun culture, excellent food, unique music and, for boat lovers, the crew/supply boat capital of the world. Four boat yards in this area build these multi-engine, all- aluminum, speedy vessels, almost exclusively. Each yard turns out up to six crew/supply boats a year. In fact, three of the shipyards are located within just a few miles from each other in the tiny hamlet of Loreauville, La., a town that seems to be made up mostly of aluminum welders. That, of course, is an exaggeration, but not by much. Not every vessel delivered from these shipyards goes to work supporting the search for oil and gas…
Boston Whaler Opens New Facility
A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony were held at the new Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products manufacturing facility in Edgewater, Fla. The newly constructed facility encompasses 46,000 square feet under roof, on 6.3 square acres of land. The state-of-the-art facility is used to build unsinkable fiberglass boats specifically for commercial applications, including law enforcement, fire/rescue and military/combat craft and homeland security. Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products builds boats used by virtually every branch of the United States armed forces and by law enforcement and rescue organizations around the world. Opening remarks were made by Steve Dennis, executive director of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce.
Boston Whaler Forms Commercial, Government Product Group
The Brunswick Boat Group has formed Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products to better focus on these important market segments. Fred Kiekhaefer has been named president of this new operating unit. Kiekhaefer also remains president of the Mercury Racing division. Boston Whaler Commercial and Government Products also will be working closely with Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing, and Valiant rigid hull inflatables to ensure seamless boat and engine package integration. Mercury, Mercury Racing and Valiant all remain independent units of Brunswick Corporation. "When commercial operators and government agencies identify their unique operational needs…
