Namjet News

Marine propulsion and thrusters manufacturer Thrustmaster of Texas announced that Leonard Hill and Jason Hill have joined its waterjet team, bringing with them more than 65 years of experience in waterjet design, manufacturing and sales. Leonard Hill began his waterjet career at Jacuzzi Brothers waterjet division in 1978, and in 1984 purchased the waterjet product line from Jacuzzi to start North American Marine Jet (NAMJet). Leonard invented and introduced a new style of jet to the market place known as the TRAKTOR JET, which combines all the features of the conventional waterjet with higher thrust, especially at low vessel speeds.

Longtime waterjet propulsion equipment provider NAMJet introduces key advancements for the workboat sector. Back in 2011, when boat builder Birdon went looking for a propulsion system that they could utilize in the bid phases of a multi-boat contract with the U.S. Army, they landed on NAMJet propulsion systems and its TRAKTOR Jet line of high-thrust marine jets. Subsequent to that, and because their Army Bridge Erection boat (BEB) concept, powered by NAMJet, performed so well, Birdon went ahead and purchased the company. Since then, NAMJet has gone on to blaze its own trail for propulsion solutions over a wide range of workboats. Denver-based NAMJet provides waterjet technology designed for a wide variety of commercial…

Netherlands-based Palfinger Boats has launched the first of two Damen-designed FRSQ 1200 fast-rescue/oil response vessels. Built in Harderwijk, Netherlands, the 12-meter (40-foot) vessel is powered by dual 440-horsepower (hp) Yanmar diesels mated to twin NAMJet TJ431 HH waterjets. Designed to be carried aboard larger ships as a “daughter-craft,” the 9.6-ton vessel’s primary mission is oil spill response, which will make exceptional use of the vessel’s 4.1-ton bollard pull capacity.

NAMJet’s advanced marine propulsion systems have set the standard for thrust, durability and speed for more than 25 years. Leading the way are its TRAKTOR Jet line of high-thrust marine jets designed for a variety of commercial, military and workboat applications. NAMJet won a large military boat building contract in March to supply tractor jets for the U.S. Army’s one-of-a-kind bridge erection boats. According to NAMJet, its TRAKTOR Jet’s mass flow design pumps more water than high-speed jets…

NAMJet’s tractor jets seal the deal on a significant military boat building contract. The Army’s one-of-a-kind bridge erection boats fill an obscure, shallow draft workboat niche, while showcasing capabilities that someday could be commercially viable. When the U.S. Army turned to industry in its quest to design the next generation, prototype bridge erection boat, the ensuing competition attracted no less than three industry competition teams, all of whom eventually submitted prototypes in 2010. Birdon America, Inc., teaming with a (now) wholly owned NAMJet propulsion group, was one of the players. These models were then handed over to the U.S. Army for extensive testing. Eventually, in March of this year, Birdon won the US Army Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) platform contract.

Marine waterjet manufacturer NAMJet says it has been contracted to provide propulsion systems for Birdon America's US Army Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) 400-boat replacement platform. At the same time NAMJet announces its manufacturing and operational HQ has moved to Denver, Colorado. Bridge Erection Boats are primarily used to provide propulsion and maneuverable thrust to support temporary floating bridges often made necessary when existing bridge crossings have been destroyed in military conflict.

Customized application for multi-missioned workboats recognizes that all workboats have more than one job. In an increasingly expensive market for workboats, any advantage that can be leveraged to save time, money, fuel and deck space on the job is a precious commodity. One way to do just that, perhaps taking a page from the U.S. Coast Guard’s playbook, is to consolidate multiple missions onto fewer vessels. And, the gold standard in equipment to make that happen may well be packaged in NAMJet’s advanced marine propulsion systems. For more than 25 years, NAMJet products have provided thrust, durability, and speed for a wide variety of commercial, military and workboat applications.

NAMJet to provide Traktor Jet propulsion system for the new oyster harvest vessel ‘Pacific Express 1’. Washington ship builder Penn Cove Shellfish (dba Everest Marine)  has chosen Arkansas-based NAMJet to provide the propulsion system for its new oyster harvest vessel, Pacific Express I. Custom-designed by Stew Everest for Coast Seafoods and operating in Grays Harbor, Washington, the Traktor Jet powered Pacific Express provides exceptional maneuverability and power in the shallow, windy working conditions common across the Pacific Northwest.

Washington ship builder Penn Cove Shellfish (DBA Everest Marine) has chosen Arkansas-based NAMJet to provide propulsion solutions for its newest oyster harvest vessel, Kumo Express. Designed to harvest oysters grown on intertidal longlines in Humboldt Bay, California, the Traktor Jet-powered Kumo Express provides exceptional maneuverability and power in the shallow, windy working conditions common across the Pacific Northwest. Powered by twin 300-horsepower (hp) John Deere engines…

Norwegian shipbuilder Westplast AS chooses US-based NAMJet propulsion for its latest seismic survey vessel WP950. Designed as a global support platform for oil and gas industry seismographic research, the WP950 will also be used for streamer cable replacements. The boat is powered by twin 295-horsepower (hp) Yanmar diesels paired to twin TRAKTOR® Jet TJ 381 (15-inch) waterjets capable of propelling the 31-foot, 15,653-pound (7100 kg) craft to top speeds of 28 knots. The vessel's TRAKTOR Jet propulsion system also provides 6,393 pounds (2900 kg) of Bollard Pull.