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Monticello News

17 May 2015

Boaterz n Bikerz Hull of a Tour Launches Freedom Ride

The Boaterz ‘n Bikerz Hull of a Tour² launch of “The Freedom Ride” throttled forward yesterday from Freedom Boat Club’s Marina Jack location in downtown Sarasota, FL. The nine-day, 2000-mile motorcycle and boating tour attracted 30 members of the boating industry including their friends, and travels up the east coast to Washington D.C., concluding with participation in the 100,000-bike rally, Rolling Thunder, which honors war veterans, POWs and MIA on Memorial Day weekend. “This ride is a celebration of freedom and the great outdoors,” said tour organizer and marine industry marketing veteran Wanda Kenton Smith. “Our tour is unique in that we combine the best of the open roads with the open seas in an adventure that promotes both motorcycling and boating activity.

04 Dec 2014

Willard Licenses SeaArk Commercial, Military Boats

Photo courtesy of Willard Marine

Willard Marine, Inc., has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SeaArk Marine, Inc., to build all of its commercial and military boat models, of which 7,000 have been sold worldwide since SeaArk Marine’s founding nearly 60 years ago. Based in Monticello, Ark., SeaArk Marine is family owned and was operated by the McClendon family beginning in 1959, and they experienced great success delivering boats to all 50 states, every U.S. held territory, and over 70 countries around the world.

30 Aug 2011

SeaArk Marine: Temporarily Discontinues Accepting New Orders

The Navy’s 34-ft RAM built by SeaArk.

Military and industrial aluminum boat manufacturer SeaArk Marine, Inc. of Monticello, Arkansas said it will temporarily suspend acceptance of new boat orders until further notice. Due to very sporadic and extremely low (new construction) sales figures for nearly 24 straight months, the company announced that it would begin an overhead reduction plan in an attempt to “ride out” the effects of the current market until substantial improvement in the government & industrial marine sector appeared more apparent. SeaArk Marine, Inc. is not completely shutting down its operations.

03 Jun 2010

SeaArk Marine Responds to Gulf Oil Spill

SeaArk Marine, Inc, of Monticello, Ark. has announced immediate plans to expand their production capacity to better meet the needs of the Gulf Oil Crisis. “Unfortunately, it appears this catastrophe is going to be around for some time” said Ken McFalls, Vice President of Sales. “We already have the manpower and overflow facilities to handle emergency situations such as this. It’s just simple matter of putting these resources to use. SeaArk Marine, formerly MonArk Boat Company, has been serving the Gulf coast oil industry for over 50 years. Products range in size from 17 to 65 feet and include specialty vessels for the deployment of boom and dispersants, skimmer platforms, shallow water sampling and high speed drop ramp cargo barges.

21 Aug 2009

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…

19 Aug 2009

70 Shipyards Awarded ARRA Grants

The Department of Transportation has announced 70 grants totaling $98m in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds that will be used to improve small shipyards throughout the United States. The funds, awarded through the Maritime Administration’s Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will help create and preserve jobs, provide valuable employment training and make much needed improvements to shipyards across the country. The Small Shipyards Grant program provides up to 75 percent in ARRA funds for a project and requires the remainder be matched by the shipyard. A detailed list of the grantees is as follows. •    Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc.,  Philadelphia, PA: $2,312,614, for the first year of training program.

24 Nov 2003

Vessels: What’s in Store for 2004?

The 2003 workboat construction market had its ups and downs and at best has given mixed signals about 2004 and beyond. Among the various workboat vessel segments, passenger vessels, excluding ferries and inland waterway vessels such as tugs and push boats, are in a static mode. Vessels will be built in 2004, but at a pace constant with years past. Some markets such as the building of patrol boats and other vessels with national security implications appear are sure bet winners for 2004 with several shipyards with large contracts that have deliveries stretched out for two years or more in some cases. Another market that continues to grow is high-speed aluminum passenger ferry and the slower passenger/vehicle ferries.

10 May 2004

Military, State Orders Buoy Patrol Boat Market

Even before the events of 9/11, the patrol boat market for the Navy, Coast Guard and individual state law enforcement departments was very active. For example, in the 1980's Bollinger built 49 Island Class Patrol boats and 10 years later built 50 smaller patrol vessels also for the Coast Guard. These assets were immediately deployable to counter terrorism threats after 9/11. But with the entire nation on alert, it was obvious that the more sets of eyes and ears we could put on our 95,000 mile coast line the more secure we would be. In the last two years, hundreds of smaller patrol boats have been built specifically to increase security around ports and other facilities across the nation. The Navy has been very active ordering vessels to patrol Navy bases and other military installations.

21 May 2002

Ross Labs Delivers a 35-ft. Survey Boat

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island District. multi-channel survey system, designed for inland rivers and shallow water surveying. The "Mini-Sweep" is ideally suited for installation on small trailerable vessels. for Rock Island District included a custom designed 35 ft. Marine, Inc. of Monticello, Arkansas. Two 20-ft. booms mounted on either side of the vessel provide a 50-ft. overall sweep width. The booms are stored in recessed areas in the hull, leaving the deck clear at all times. are deployed by a hydraulic system using controls at the helm station. computer, and DGPS sub-meter system. used for data processing. The second boat, currently under construction at SeaArk Marine, is a 34-ft. which will be outfitted with 20 ft. for delivery this fall.

08 Mar 2001

SeaArk Marine Delivers Boat to Hayden Lake Fire District

SeaMarine of Monticello, Ark., recently built and delivered a 30-ft. all-welded aluminum Emergency Response Vessel to the Hayden Lake Fire Protection District in Hayden Lake, Idaho. SeaArk was named the successful builder in a competitive bidding process. The process will be used on Hayden Lake for fire fighting and rescue. Hayden lake's new fireboat is SeaArk's Dauntless model, which is designed by C. Raymond Hunt and Associates and features a deep-V hull, wide chines, flared bow and lifting strakes to provide a stable, dry ride in rough operating conditions. The hull is constructed of durable, all-welded aluminum. The new SeaArk fireboat is outfitted with a 1,500 gpm @ 150 psi Hale fire pump driven by Marine Power 350CID, 327 hp @ 4,600 rpm gasoline engine.

18 Jun 2002

Ross Labs Delivers Survey Boat

In mid-May Ross Laboratories, Inc., Seattle, Wash., delivered the first of two survey boats to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island District. The Ross "Mini-Sweep" is a small boat multi-channel survey system, designed for inland rivers and shallow water surveying. surveyor who worked for the RI District who recently passed away. The "Mini-Sweep" is ideally suited for installation on small trailerable vessels. The "turn-key" system for Rock Island District included a custom designed 35 ft. twin-hull workboat from SeaArk Marine, Inc. of Monticello, Ark. Two 20-ft. booms mounted on either side of the vessel provide a 50-ft. overall sweep width. The booms are stored in recessed areas in the hull, leaving the deck clear at all times.

30 Aug 2007

Port of South Louisiana Dedicates New Vessel

From left to right: Paul Zimmermann, Director of Operations, Port of New Orleans; Jay Hardman, Executive Director, Port of Greater Baton Rouge; Bobby Scafidel, Executive Director, Port of St. Bernard; Joel Chaisson, Executive Director, Port of South Louisiana; and Urban Treuil, Port Manager, Port of Plaquemines Parish. The Port of South Louisiana dedicated its newest security vessel, the PSL Responder, among hundreds of public officials, business representatives, and other guests at Globalplex Intermodal Terminal on the Mississippi River on August 15. The ship is the third security vessel in the Port’s fleet to patrol the Mississippi River and provide security in its 54-mile port district.

05 Aug 2003

RIB Report

Having built over 200 aluminum RHIB's, Silver Ships, Inc. / AMBAR Marine, has grabbed a foothold in the design and construction of aluminum RHIB's - all of which are constructed in accordance with SOLAS regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard operates 90 AMBAR Marine Non-Standard RHIB's and the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command operates 40 AMBAR Marine Special Service RHIB's. Silver Ships, Inc./AMBAR Marine constructs approximately 43 vessels per year, 80 percent of which are RHIB's while the remaining 20% have been Patrol/Security boats, and various work boats ranging from 23-48 ft. (7-14.6 m). Upon discovery, in 1966 following extensive R&D, Lanness McKee, Sr. uncovered the secret to the most rugged, unsinkable marine construction in the market.

10 Jan 2003

Markets:Eyes and Ears on the Water

Since the 9/11 attack there has obviously been increased emphasis on getting more eyes, ears and in some cases firepower on America's ports and inland waterways. Homeland security has become a top priority for the U.S. Coast Guard and numerous other Federal, state and local agencies. Patrol boats offer a relatively low cost solution to increasing security on America's waterways and in and around ports. These vessels range from RIB's with outboard motors to aluminum-hulled craft with high horsepower diesel engines enabling them to quickly reach and maintain high speeds often required for interdiction. Fortunately America was building capable patrol boats before 9/11. The mission of these vessels prior to 9/11 was mostly drug interdiction, search and rescue and/or border security.

16 Dec 2002

Ross Labs Delivers Mini-Sweep System

Ross Laboratories, Inc. delivered the second “Ross Mini-Sweep System” to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District. The on-time delivery is the second sweep boat system to the Rock Island District in the past twelve months. The “Mini-Sweep” is ideally suited for installation on small trailerable vessels. The “turn-key” system for Rock Island District is installed on a custom designed 34-ft. cathedral hull work boat from SeaArk Marine, Inc. of Monticello, Arkansas. The “Mini-Sweep” system is specifically designed for inland and shallow water surveying. Two 20-ft. hydraulically operated booms mounted on either side of the vessel will provide a 50-ft. overall sweep width. The booms are stored in recessed areas in the hull, leaving the deck clear at all times.

20 Nov 2002

Long History, Promising Future

SeaArk Marine inc. of Monticello, Ark., is a company ideally positioned to benefit from the influx of patrol boat orders expected in the wake of tightening waterway security. The company is well-regarded for quality of construction and support, and has been the beneficiary of some large deals for new boats. Founded in 1959 as MonArk Boat Co., SeaArk Marine, Inc. has a long and varied history in the aluminum boat building industry. The company got its start when Zach McClendon started building riveted, aluminum flat bottom Jon boats. After a few years and several additions to the product line, the company started selling riveted and all-welded boats to entities such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Fish and Wildlife Departments.

10 Mar 2003

RIB Directory

With the deepest V available, the Oceanus 8.50VST from AB Inflatables is a rugged craft providing a safe, comfortable ride for several hours.The extra-deep V hull and non-submerged tubes provide the boat with plenty of stability, while preventing unwanted friction and spray for smooth, dry operation in calm or choppy waters. The boat features upholstered seating, ample deck space to install ice coolers or additional seating, a smartly designed console with easy-to-reach controls and abundant storage lockers to keep fishing gear secure. In addition, the 8.50VST offers the flexibility to be customized to buyers' needs. Weighing 2,860 lbs., the Oceanus 8.50VST has an overall length of 28 ft. (8.5 m) and a 12-ft. (3.6 m) beam.

14 Jan 2000

SeaArk Delivers Commander to Passaic Valley

SeaArk Marine, Monticello, Ark., delivered its 27 ft. all-welded aluminum Commander model to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners of Newark, N.J. Named R.V. Passaic River, the vessel will be utilized for water quality sampling and general environmental clean-up work in the Passaic River and in Newark Bay - in addition to utilization for educational purposes. The vessel boasts a deep-vee hull, which provides proven performance and a smooth, dry ride, as well as SeaArk's standard 25 ft. hull stretched to 27 ft., allowing additional room for equipment on the recessed rear deck. A fully enclosed and insulated cabin was also extended to house two bench seats/storage boxes and a worktable, as well as two pilot seats.

15 May 2003

RIB Report: Manufacturers Review

AB Inflatables offers its Profile line of aluminum hull RIBs. The rugged, 3.28-mil hulls are lighter than comparable fiberglass hulls and are perfectly suited for operating in lakes and rivers or along rocky coastlines. In these environments, the aluminum bottoms also help resist abrasions from coral and sandy beaches. An extra air chamber between the hull and the floor keeps the Profile models buoyant even when flooded. The large-diameter tubes of the boats are made from 1670 decitex Hypalon/Neoprene fabric. They include wear patches along the top and a heavy-duty rubrail. Decks are non-skid and sealed to the hull with epoxy. The A12…

30 Oct 2002

RIB Report

The 10.5 ft. Oceanus 3.20VSC from AB Inflatables is a sporty RIB with a deep V hull construction large, 17-in.-diameter tubes, and a rounded, European-style console and seat. In fact, the company has redesigned each boat in the Oceanus line to be even more attractive and distinctive. The tubes are now a softer gray color and have a sportier, more recognizable stripe to help identify the brand. To add to the fresh new look, nylon lifelines have been replaced with long-lasting, dark Grey hypalon fabric handles, carefully placed for ease of grip and functionality. The boat has a 5.5 ft. overall beam and 7.5 ft. interior length. Suggested retail price of the Oceanus 3.20VSC is $5,995, without engine.