Law Enforcement Boats News

Boatbuilder Willard Marine announced Eugene Hanscom has been appointed general manager.The industry veteran came to Willard in May of 2020 as the director of finance. Prior to that he spent the last six years with Curtin Maritime, a Long Beach-based maritime construction services company, as vice president of finance. Hanscom got his start in the industry by gaining his USCG Masters License and operating charter fishing trips on various vessels berthing at Fisherman’s Landing, San Diego.“I look forward to steering Willard into the next generation of its long history of success.

Vetus Maxwell is showcasing its expanded BOW PRO thruster range at the International Workboat Show.The addition of two larger BOW PRO Boosted thruster models has strengthened Vetus Maxwell’s range of control, maneuvering and Dynamic Positioning solutions available for ferries, excursion vessels, pilot boats, search and recovery, and law enforcement boats through the award-winning BOW PRO series. Suitable for vessels up to about 70ft, the new BOWB180 and BOWB210 Boosted thrusters…

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.

U.S. companies continue to land lucrative contracts with domestic and foreign customers for vessels that are designed or specially customized to meet defense, police and anti-piracy needs. Governments here and abroad, meanwhile, continue to cut budgets. Many of the security craft to be delivered this year are built to save energy, reduce emissions and reach higher speeds and greater cruising ranges than their predecessors. They have the latest tracking and communications systems. And a few new vessels are remotely operated.

Today’s economy is tough enough for the commercial sector. For federal, state and municipal authorities – and in an atmosphere of shrinking tax revenues and sequestration – the task of securing mission-appropriate assets can be even tougher. At this year’s National Sheriff’s Association Conference (of all places), held this June in Charlotte, N.C, at least two boatbuilders showed that there is an economical way to get the job done. Increasingly, the need for multi-missioned boats to create both economy of scale and the ability to do more with fewer assets is becoming the rule…

Patrol And Combat Builders Fret About Budget Cuts But See Bright Spots. So far; so good. U.S. companies building patrol and combat craft aren’t happy about federal, state and city budget cuts but say they do see positive, demand-side factors. Much of their overseas business depends on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The FMS, which transfers defense equipment and services to other nations, is retrenching now, however. Here at home, states and municipalities have fewer funds, grants and matching grants to pay for patrol vessels, builders say.

In a trial run of new law enforcement boats, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a Mexican ship fishing illegally in federal waters on July 21, officials said. The Coast Guard confiscated the Mexican vessel, which had three Mexican citizens on board. The Coast Guard initially responded to a call from the USCG Cutter Brant for help in pursuit of another target. Two of the station’s new 33-foot safe boats responded. The station received three of the boats in June, but the vessels weren’t ready for missions until recently. The Island station was one of four Coast Guard stations to receive the special law enforcement boats, and two more vessels than other stations because of its proximity to the border. During the trial run, four vessels were spotted in U.S.

Moose Boats, a designer and builder of aluminum catamarans, has delivered a M2-33’ to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. This vessel was specifically designed, built and equipped to the handle the constant grueling daily challenges that law enforcement boats are subjected to. In addition to continual patrol use, this vessel is also fully equipped for search and rescue missions and has fire fighting capabilities. The boat will be assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Marina del Rey Station.

John Deere Power Systems added a new engine rating to its current line of marine engine products. The PowerTech 6068SFM has an M5 rating with 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,600 rpm and is for rescue boats, pilot boats, patrol craft, high-speed law enforcement boats, recreational craft and other light-duty applications. This new heat exchanger cooled engine incorporates a seawater aftercooler, electronically controlled fuel system, cruise-by-wire control, diagnostic messaging and self-protection. "The new John Deere 6068SFM is an ideal powersource for patrol craft because of the compact size and combination of high torque and high power," says Joby Javellana, product market manager for John Deere Power Systems. The U.S.