Electronics Package News

Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) announced it has been awarded a contract to build an new 74’ patrol vessel for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).CDFW manages California's diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, and its Law Enforcement Division protects California natural resources and provides public safety. The agency will use the new aluminum catamaran for patrolling state and international waters along the California Coast.The 74’ x 27.5’ (OAL) twin engine…

Seattle shipbuilder Snow & Company earlier this month delivered Savannah, the first of two new 64-foot pilot boats for the Savanah Pilots Association. Designed by Camarc Design, the single chine, flush deck 5086 aluminum vessel is the third pilot boat the U.K.-based firm has designed for the Savannah pilots.Savannah is powered by MTU 12V2000M86 marine engines, Hamilton HTX 52 waterjets with electronic AVX controls, ZF 3055 marine gears, and Geislinger Carbon Fiber driveshafts / Silenco couplings.

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.

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the 38 Defiant NXT, described as a next-generation welded aluminum monohull pilothouse model based on the company’s 38 Defiant platform. The first new vessel, “Fire Boat 2,” has been delivered to Orange Beach Fire Rescue in Alabama.Since 2011, Metal Shark has delivered over 100 legacy model 38 Defiant vessels, in a wide range of configurations to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, the US Coast Guard and Navy, and multiple foreign…

However readers might define “normal”, 2020 was anything but. But the business of rigid inflatable boats (RIB) has been going at full throttle.Matthew Velluto, Director of Business Development and Marketing at RIBCRAFT USA, based in Marblehead, Mass., described a business moving steadily ahead, though it’s had to weave and bob at times during 2020. “We’ve been able to stay open throughout 2020, with no disruptions on our side,” though he acknowledged hiccups further down in the company’s supply chain. He explains that the business was deemed to be “essential”.

Port Angeles, WA-based Brix Marine delivered a new 4615-CTC luxury water taxi, Liberty National I, to Liberty National Golf Club after launch and sea trials in Port Angeles Harbor. Liberty National Golf Club selected the Brix Marine design last year and will use the planing catamaran to transport passengers between North Cove Marina in New York and the private club’s dock in New Jersey.Liberty National I carries a USCG COI for 30 passengers + 2 crew, and features Helm Master electronic steering…

Port Angeles, Wash. boatbuilder Armstrong Marine USA said it recently delivered the 45’8” by 16’ semi-displacement catamaran, Serac, to the National Park Service (NPS) for use in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in Alaska.NPS selected Armstrong Marine’s proposal to build the Jutson Marine design in a competitive solicitation process last year. The vessel will be utilized for crew/cargo transfer and pilot operations in the park.The shaft and wheel propulsion system is comprised of twin John Deere 200-horsepower diesel engines…

The U.S. Navy’s first Yard Tug (YT) 808 class tug recently delivered to Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton Annex. Only 17 days after delivery, YT 808 was in the water assisting USNS Richard Byrd (T-AKE 4) as it moved away from the dock at Naval Magazine Indian Island.“Narrowing the gap between delivery and providing operational support is a priority for our team,” said Mike Kosar, program manager of Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office within Program Executive Office Ships (PEO Ships).

The first of the U.S. Navy's new YT-808 tugs being built by Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) has been outfitted with a sophisticated marine electronics package from Furuno. Mackay Marine selected and installed a comprehensive suite of electronics that will assist YT-808 in fulfilling its ship-handling duties for the full range of U.S. Navy surface warships, barges and submarines. The helm aboard the new vessel includes a 12kW FAR2218BB Radar, DS80 Doppler Speed Log, GP330B GPS Receiver, FA170 AIS, and RD33 Data organizer.

Having recently taken delivery of two new RIBCRAFT 5.85 rigid inflatable boats (RIB), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded the Massacusetts-based builder another contract, to supply and deliver shipboard RIBs for its fleet of long range fisheries patrol boats.The RIBs already delivered will be used by the agency's Southern District, which covers all of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The vessels will be operated by one or two wardens for patrol and enforcement operations.

Armstrong Marine USA announced it is building a 46’ x 15’ planing catamaran, dubbed Liberty National I, at its Port Angeles, Wash. facility for delivery this spring. Liberty National Golf Club selected the Armstrong Marine USA design last year, ordering a vessel to transport passengers between North Cove Marina in New York and the private club’s dock in New Jersey.With a USCG COI for 30 passengers plus two crew, Liberty National I will accommodate the club’s robust membership.

Washington-based boat builder Armstrong Marine said it has delivered a new 42’ x 16’ catamaran research vessel, Benthic Cat, to Orca Maritime, Inc. following launch and sea trials in Port Angeles Harbor. The vessel will enter service immediately, beginning with a week-long operation around San Clemente Island.The second IPS-drive catamaran delivered by Armstrong, the 4216-CTC model was selected by Orca Maritime after the builder delivered the same design to UC San Diego’s Scripps…

Boatbuilder Armstrong Marine USA has been selected to construct a custom passenger ferry for the community of Hat Island, Washington.The 49-passenger USCG Subchapter T vessel features a galley, head, Northern Lights 9kW generator, Garmin/NMEA electronics package, and PA system. Vessel completion is slated for Fall, 2020.

The 40’ x 13’ research vessel Nanuq recently entered service for the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. In a competitive solicitation process last year, the University selected Armstrong Marine’s proposal to design and build the vessel.Nanuq is customized for research and teaching operations. The monohull features 28 – 32 knot cruise speed, hydraulic A-frame, overnight accommodations for five, full-service galley, head, Northern Lights 5kW diesel generator…

Located on the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, the Lowell Police Department recently took delivery of a new RIBCRAFT 5.85 for patrol and enforcement duties as well as search and rescue operations. The new RIBCRAFT increases the departments on-water presence and visibility and greatly expands their response capabilities on an increasingly busy stretch of water with good public access, a large beach, collegiate rowing clubs and boathouses, and growing weekend recreational boating activity.RIBCRAFT worked with the department to build a boat that meets their diverse operational requirements.

MarineNews showcases the ten best of North America’s 2018 workboat deliveries. Domestic shipyard production is robust, innovative and getting greener. And, that translates into two kinds of ‘green.’As the domestic offshore energy support sector slowly awakens, other sectors have been happy to take the spotlight in its absence. As always, and if a hull was delivered in 2018, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For my part, I’m always excited when the U.S. boatbuilding sector can deliver for a foreign buyer. We’ve checked that box here. And, that’s because we can compete on price, quality and when we do…

Even Mother Nature Can’t Dent the Enthusiasm at this Year’s MACC.Curtis Bay, MD: On the morning after the Baltimore, MD area received a record 3.5 inches of torrential rain in just 90 minutes, this year’s Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) kicked off without a hitch at the United States Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD. That may sound easy, but for those flying in Tuesday afternoon (or like myself, driving in through DC at exactly the moment that the George Washington Parkway flooded badly near the DCA Airport), it was touch and go.Although a proud (although badly aging) graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a licensed mariner – Chief Mate (any gross tons) and a 1600 Ton Master – this officially was my first command at sea.

Marine transportation provider Vane Brothers has added two newly constructed vessels to the company’s growing fleet: the 4,200-horsepower tugboat Philadelphia and the purpose-built asphalt barge Double Skin 510A. Primarily tasked with towing petroleum barges engaged in the North Atlantic coastwise trade, the Philadelphia is the fifth of eight 4,200-horsepower, model bow tugboats contracted by Vane Brothers through St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla. The first in the series…

Boats are a lot like homes: upgrades and enhancements add to their comfort and livability, and increase their value. FCI Watermakers explores how adding a watermaker to a vessel is an investment that pays dividends in terms of safety and convenience, and sets it apart when it's time to sell. The ability to make pure, fresh water while at sea is liberating. Gone are the days of water frugality. With a watermaker, there's more than enough for drinking, bathing, cooking and refilling supplies. And in case of mechanical trouble far from the nearest port, it can be a real lifesaver.

Marine transportation provider Vane Brothers has taken delivery of the newly built tugboat Delaware, the fourth of eight vessels in Vane’s Elizabeth Anne Class of 4,200-horsepower tugs contracted through St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla. Designed by Frank Basile, P.E., of Entech Designs, LLC, the Delaware is a steel-hulled, model bow tug measuring 100 feet long with a 34-foot beam and 13-foot draught. She utilizes two Caterpillar 3516 Tier 3 (“A” Rated) engines, each generating 2,100 horsepower at 1,600 rpm.

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

At the first day of the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, La., Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) introduced an 8.5-meter aluminum RHIB. A first of its kind for the Company, the 850 Aluminum Impact RHIB is the introductory model from a line-up that features five variants ranging in size from 7.5-meters to 12-meters. Designed for the commercial and government marketplace, BCGP will market the new line-up to domestic law enforcement agencies as well as militaries worldwide. "We are happy to introduce the Aluminum Impact RHIB line here at the International WorkBoat show," said Jeremy Davis, BCGP director of sales.

Moore Boat has introduced its all new aluminum 25-foot outboard, The Moore 25 OB. The Moore 25 OB was designed in house and with the assistance of CDI - Band Lavis Division. The new boat is the builder’s first application of its patented Moore Boat hull design propelled by an outboard. The Moore 25 OB has been designed with a parallelogram hydraulic engine lift that is capable of raising the single 300 horsepower outboard a full two feet. This ability allows for optimized shallow draft operation while underway, maximized full economy and performance benefits, according to the builder.