Law Enforcement Vessel News

Today, despite an abundance of market challenges and supply chain headaches, many of America’s police and fire boat builders are in possession of the shipyard holy grail: a healthy backlog.Dave Hunt, business development and project manager for Theodore, Ala. based Silver Ships said vessel orders from police and fire agencies have been on the rise and that the expectation is that this trend will continue. “Between vessels delivered and in production, we have seen a year over year increase steadily since 2017; particularly the last two years.

All American Marine (AAM) has completed construction and delivered the last of three low wake and high-speed passenger vessels built for Kitsap Transit based in Bremerton, Wa.The Lady Swift, an aluminum catamaran coupled to a composite superstructure and a dynamic carbon fiber hydrofoil, was delivered to Bremerton on Friday, July 26, 2019. The vessel was designed by Teknicraft Design Auckland, New Zealand and will operate on Kitsap’s current cross-sound ferry route between Bremerton and downtown Seattle…

North River Boats’ formula for success: anchored in a diverse portfolio and customer base. Tucked away in Roseburg, Ore., North River Boats began simply enough in 1974 by building jet powered boats to run shallow, technical white water rivers. Over time, the company also developed a solid reputation for jet boat designs. Later, as sport fishing regulations, seasons, and species evolved, North River expanded to build deep vee outboard powered recreational boats to fish larger rivers, estuaries and the ocean. The firm is also known for another reason: its diversified production of hulls, delivered to an equally wide range of clients, both domestic and foreign.

Without sacrificing utility or features, the Metal Shark 75’ Endurance and the Moose M3 models both provide multi-missioned platforms for the cash-strapped municipal sector. A crowded field for today’s domestic boatbuilders and a highly competitive marketplace finds builders trying to position their output and designs to a place that separates them from the pack. One place to do just that is in the market for maritime security workboats, particularly when it comes to local, state and municipal buyers. Municipal and state buyers want a great deal for their declining budget dollars. In response, builders are sharpening their pencils and putting together vessels that offer not only bang for the buck…

A 21-foot all-aluminum patrol/rescue boat was recently delivered to the Southampton, N.Y. Bay Constables for its law enforcement mission, the builder Silver Ships, Inc. announced. The Freedom 21 center console boat was designed and engineered for one-man operation, which, according to Silver Ships, is a sought-after feature in today’s climate of staffing reductions by public safety agencies. The boat is tasked with patrol, rescue and enforcement of various environmental, conservation…

Moose Boats, an aluminum boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area announced the delivery of two patrol boats in late 2013. Moose Boats delivered a new M1-44 Catamaran Patrol Boat to Bridgeport Police Department on Long Island Sound. The M1-44 all-aluminum catamaran is powered by twin Cummins QSC8.3 600hp marine turbo diesel engines coupled via TwinDisc MG5075SC transmissions to twin Hamilton 322 water-jets with Hamilton Blue Arrow Controls. The vessel named “John Jack Flynn III” features a generous fully enclosed cabin complete with shock mitigating seats…

SAFE Boats International (SAFE) contracted to build the U.S. The contract calls for up to 101 boats procured over seven years. The CB-OTH-IV will act as a multi-mission, cutter-launched law enforcement vessel and the Coast Guard will begin taking delivery in early 2013. At 26-feet in length, the CB-OTH-IV is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and is based off of the SAFE 250 Center Console. It seats 5 (five) crew members and features a 480hp inboard diesel engine with a water jet…

1867-The lighthouse at Timbalier Bay was destroyed in a hurricane. The brick tower "was leveled to the ground and covered with from three to six feet of water."  The Lighthouse Board commended the keepers, "who faithfully performed their duty, barely escaping with their lives, and living for some days in an iron can buoy . 1898-  Lieutenants David Jarvis and Ellsworth P. Bertholf and Surgeon Dr. Samuel J. Call of the USRC Bear reached Point Barrow, Alaska, after a 2,000 mile "mush" from Nunivak Island that first started on 17 December 1897, driving reindeer as food for 97 starving whalers caught in the Arctic ice. This Overland Rescue was heralded by the press and at the request of President William McKinley, Congress issued special gold medals in their honor.

All American Marine Inc., launched a 56 x 21 ft. catamaran built under contract for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The high speed patrol vessel has been assigned to operate in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and its Tortugas Ecological Reserve off the Southern coast of Florida. The vessel will serve as a long-range law enforcement patrol boat in the lower Keys. The patrol vessel is owned and maintained by NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program in the Florida Keys. Daily vessel operations will be administered by FKNMS law enforcement officers. Law enforcement in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a cooperative partnership between NOAA and the State of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

New aluminum catamaran technology is being introduced into the U.S. Virgin Islands, where they are embracing the catamaran concept. The Virgin Island Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Police has placed in active service its first aluminum catamaran, manufactured using patented-protected technology, by Mission Marine, Ltd., in Sandusky, Ohio. The boat is based at the DPNR/Police facility in St. Thomas. The Mission 338 has the capability for extended offshore patrol and is a multi-agency craft that serves a variety of missions including DPNR, Police/Law Enforcement, Fisheries, SAR, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement, and Port Security.

The Virgin Island Department of Planning and Natural Resources/Police has placed in active service its first aluminum catamaran, manufactured using patented-protected technology, by Mission Marine, Ltd., in Sandusky, Ohio. The boat is based at the DPNR/Police facility in St. Thomas. The Mission 338 (29’7” x 11’5”) has the capability for extended offshore patrol and is a multi-agency craft that serves a variety of missions including DPNR, Police/Law Enforcement, Fisheries, SAR, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement, and Port Security. What makes this catamaran unique is its rough water capabilities for use offshore; its wide beam and advanced design affords extra stability and ride.

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.