Workskiff News

Drug interdiction. Crew transport in hostile waters. Law enforcement. Rescue operations. Passenger vessels. Today’s MultiMission Vessels (MMVs) are a diverse collection of workboats characterized by adaptable platforms, customized with standard accessories.A larger budget for electronics and multiple, smart, navigational screens and MDTs challenge the interior configuration of already crowded MMVs, increasingly built with matching FEMA port security grant funds for joint venture operations.More monohull patrol vessels monitor illegal fishing…

BMD provide naval architecture services for two commercial vessels. Boksa Marine Design, Inc. (BMD) has provided hull, structural and outfitting design for two recent Workskiff built boats, a 25’ RIB law enforcement boat and a 31’ RIB salvage and towing vessel. “We’ve been fortunate to partner with Workskiff on these two projects as well as many others over the years. Their boats help clients meet the challenges faced on the water and efficiently operate in all weather conditions,” said Nick Boksa, President of Boksa Marine Design. BMD managed the entire design of both vessels.

Military appetite for powerful and agile smaller platforms heats up. The use of small craft by terrorist organizations and domestic terrorist cells is a worldwide threat as demonstrated by the bombing of the USNS COLE. The attack on Mumbai, India, in November of 2008, brought the danger to the forefront. Nations realized that to combat this asymmetrical small craft threat, a similar small craft defense – not replacing, but in parallel with traditional larger platforms – is required.

Military appetite for powerful and agile smaller platforms heats up. The use of small craft by terrorist organizations and domestic terrorist cells is a worldwide threat as demonstrated by the bombing of the USS COLE. The attack on Mumbai, India, in November of 2008, brought the danger to the forefront. Nations realized that to combat this asymmetrical small craft threat, a similar small craft defense – not replacing, but in parallel with traditional larger platforms – is required.

The Savannah-Chatham Police Marine Patrol has taken delivery of a 27-ft. Workskiff Harbor Security boat. The boat, obtained through a federal grant from the Transportation Security Administration, will be used to patrol the abundance of waterways throughout Chatham County, including security duty along the Savannah River waterfront. The Marine Patrol regularly patrols the local waterways, working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard, providing harbor enforcement and providing an extra layer of security for Savannah's busy port. Accordingly, the Marine Patrol investigates waterway and marine-related accidents and/or crimes. The unit also enforces all the safe-boating laws of the State of Georgia.

AB Inflatables' Profile line of aluminum hull RIBS are built of 3.28-mil aluminum, making them lighter than comparable fiberglass hulls and tough enough for lake, river and rocky coastline duty. The tubes surrounding and supporting the boat are made from 1670 decitex Hypalon/Neoprene fabric. The A12, A13, A14 and A15 Profile models are designed for professional applications, such as rescue, police, fire, coast guard and military operations. Workskiff Inc. recently received acceptance from the U.S. Navy for delivery of boats to be used in the homeland defense effort. Workskiff was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of the Navy for nine harbor security boats, boats that will be used in support of harbor security forces at Navy facilities and adjacent waterways.

WORKSKIFF Inc. was selected by the U.S. Navy to build six oil spill response boats and two utility boats in the 19 to 25 ft. range. The boats will be used for heavy-duty commercial service to include preventative booming of ships to contain accidental fuel or oil discharges, oil spill clean-up operations, general ports and waterways duties, routine harbour maintenance and clean-up duties, as well as augmenting requirements for patrol, rescue, fire fighting and picket duties at Navy Facilities and their adjacent waterways. Selected for their rugged design and durability, WORKSKIFF boats are constructed exclusively of premium marine grade 5086 aluminium. Full-depth longitudinal girders are used in an integrated double bottom construction.

The Onondaga County Department of Drainage and Santiation recently chose an aluminum Workskiff 23 to house water sampling equipment on Lake Onondaga, near Syracuse, N.Y. The boat will be equipped with instruments and equipment for water sampling to monitor improvement in water quality. Sanitary Engineer Nicholas Capozza said the boat will be equipped with struts off the side with pulleys to handle water sampling gear, sampling gear, sampling tables and various instruments like GPS with differential global positioning capabilities, depth finder and other portable sampling equipment. The boat will be driven by a 150 hp Mercury outboard with EFI (electronic fuel injection). The boat will operate year-round, except when ice covers the lake.