Economics & Utility Redefine Today’s Workboat Output
GoM shipyards are meeting the demand for right-sized, multi-mission boats. In the last decade, Gulf Coast shipyards have watched demand for multi-mission vessels grow from foreign governments and U.S. authorities. In particular, local counties and municipalities – pinched by shrinking budgets and expanding mission sets – began the march to leverage a single hull for more than one task. And, since these boats can serve military or civilian needs, the need for boatbuilders to quickly adapt a standard hull form to a particular requirement became a highly desired skill set.
Competition, Quality and Demand Come Together
Combat, Patrol and Law Enforcement Vessels Meet Multiple Missions with varied business plans. U.S. firms building patrol, combat and law enforcement craft are weathering government budget cuts by strengthening ties with clients and public agencies. These unique boats remain in demand because of terrorism, crime, wars, piracy and fire, and most serve multiple missions. As maritime nations beef up their defense capabilities, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs help builders do business overseas.
New Low-Cost Marine Thermal Camera
SPI's latest introduction to the market is a low cost Marine PTZ thermal camera for vessels of all sizes. The SPI CORP M1-D Thermal Marine PTZ is said to be the first to combine multiple sensor technologies into a small lightweight all weather system. The M1-D Marine PTZ features a high-resolution thermal camera, a low light visual CCTV camera and a bore sighted laser pointer. The thermal camera is a heat sensing technology that can see in complete darkness or full daylight while the CCTV camera provides the operator the traditional video camera view.
McClendon Family Celebrates 50 Years
Zach McClendon, Jr. of Monticello, Ark. will celebrate being in the boat building business for 50 consecutive years this September. McClendon, along with his father, Zach McClendon, Sr. and another local businessman, Norris Judkins started MonArk Boat Company in May of 1958 building small aluminum jon boats using a shear and break press provided by Judkins. The company incorporated the next year, in August of 1959. MonArk Boat Company eventually grew to include a large recreational…
FL Coast Guard Gets New Boat
The US Coast Guard's Fort Myers Beach station received a 33 foot, special purpose law enforcement craft. The boat purchase is part of a joint program with the Department of Homeland Security. The craft is a 33-foot aluminum mono-hull with a 10-ft. beam and foam collar. It is powered by three 275-hp engines capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots and is capable of operating more than 30 miles from shore. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system and secure communications capability. Coast Guard crews will receive three days of boat familiarization training conducted by SAFE Boats International, as well as shore-based non-compliant vessel pursuit tactics training conducted by CBP. This is the first 33-ft. SPC-LE Sector St. Petersburg has received.
