Metal Shark
Metal Shark News
Magnet Defense Acquires Metal Shark
The face of U.S. shipbuilding continues to evolve at speed, as Magnet Defense LLC has completed its acquisition of Metal Shark, bringing together autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and established U.S. shipbuilding capacity to accelerate delivery of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for national security missions.The combination positions the newly integrated company as a supplier of AI-enabled USVs for U.S.
Tocaro Blue Embeds Processing Software into Metal Shark HSMUSVs
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark, a supplier for the US Armed Forces and allies, and Tocaro Blue, a developer of Al-powered marine sensor processing solutions, have announced a strategic collaboration to embed Tocaro Blue's ProteusCore M Radar processing software into Metal Shark's fleet of High Speed Maneuverable Unmanned Surface Vessels (HSMUSVs).ProteusCore provides operators with advanced radar data fusion…
Dominican Navy Commissions Second Metal Shark Near Coastal Patrol Vessel
The Dominican Navy has received its second 85’ x 19.5’ welded aluminum Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV), built by Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark.Christened ARCTURUS CG-114 in keeping with the Dominican tradition of naming military vessels after constellations and celestial bodies, the new patrol craft was built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard and officially incorporated into the Dominican Navy during a ceremony at the Port of Sans Soucí on August 31st.
Metal Shark Delivers The First of Two New Boats to Tampa Fire Rescue
Metal Shark has announced the delivery of a new 40’ x 12’ welded aluminum monohull pilothouse fireboat to Tampa Fire Rescue. Designed in-house by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Jeanerette, Louisiana production facility, the new vessel is the first of two next-generation 38 Defiant NXT fireboats being built for the Department.Powered by triple 300 hp Yamaha outboards with HelmMaster controls and joystick operational capability…
Whatever the Mission, the Coast Guard’s Got a Boat for It
The Coast Guard (including its heritage services) have employed boats since the beginning. Boats are just as important, if not more so, than ever.America’s first “boat force” came about in 1878, with the creation of the United States Life Saving Service (USLSS), whose boat crews rescued mariners in distress along the nation’s coast line. In 1915, the USLSS merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service (established in 1790) to form the modern-day United States Coast Guard.
Metal Shark to Debut High-Speed USV at Sea-Air-Space 2025
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark is set to debut its latest unmanned surface vessel at the upcoming Sea-Air-Space military symposium in National Harbor, Maryland, with three days of on-water demonstrations.Metal Shark’s new high speed maneuverable unmanned surface vessel (HSMUSV) is a 21-foot military craft specifically configured for unmanned, human-in-the-loop operation. It has been designed…
Metal Shark Delivers First of Two Fireboats to Anne Arundel Fire Department
Metal Shark, a Louisiana-based boat builder, has delivered the first of two cutting-edge 50-foot welded-aluminum fireboats to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Annapolis, Md. These new vessels are set to enhance emergency response capabilities across Chesapeake Bay, safeguarding over 500 miles of shoreline.Designed in-house and built at Metal Shark's Franklin, La. shipyard, the 50 Defiant NXT monohull fireboats feature advanced technology that improves response times…
U.S. Shipbuilding Sector in Focus: Crew Transfer Vessels
A fleet of Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels is growing in stride with the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind industry.When the United Sates’ first purpose-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer, was delivered in 2016, the country’s offshore wind industry was just getting off the ground. In the years that followed, the industry has been building up—perhaps slower than expected…
US Navy Awards 40 PB Flight 2 Contracts
A pair of U.S. boatbuilders have been awarded contracts to deliver up to seventy-three 40-Foot Patrol Boats (40 PB) for the U.S. Navy's Naval Expeditionary Combat Command.The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts were awarded to Louisiana-based Metal Shark and Oregon-based ReconCraft, and the maximum cumulative dollar value for both deals combined is $290 million over a seven-year period.Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team specifically for the Navy…
Metal Shark Building 22 Vessels for Jamaica's Coast Guard
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark announced it has won a contract to build 22 welded-aluminum high-speed surface interceptor vessels for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).JDF has selected the Metal Shark 36 Fearless, a high-performance center console craft proven in service with multiple military, law enforcement, and first responder agencies worldwide. Procured via direct purchase, these new surface interceptor vessels will be used by the JDF-Coast Guard for law enforcement…
Metal Shark Debuts Prowler Autonomous Vessel and Frenzy Micro-USV
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark has unveiled Prowler, its new autonomous, amphibious, and semi-submersible military craft engineered to meet the current and near future warfighting requirements of the U.S. military and its allies. The company is also debuting Frenzy, a high-performance, low-cost, amphibious micro-USV (uncrewed surface vehicle) with a payload carrying capacity of up to 14 pounds.“Prowler…
Metal Shark Boosts Production Capacity with Third Louisiana Facility
U.S.-based boat builder Metal Shark is expanding its presence in its home state of Louisiana with the addition of a third manufacturing facility and a new recruitment effort.The expansion follows the recent divestiture of its Alabama-based ship refit and repair business, after the company sold its operations to Birdon America.With a new 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana…
Birdon Acquires Metal Shark's Bayou La Batre Shipyard
Australia's Birdon Group announced its U.S. subsidiary has reached a deal to acquire Metal Shark Boats' shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Ala.Birdon America said it will utilize the 32-acre facility for vessel repair work as well as newbuild activity, including construction of the U.S. Coast Guard's $1.187 billion 27-vessel Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program awarded to Birdon in 2022.Birdon Group CEO…
Metal Shark Building Fireboats for Anne Arundel County FD
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark is building two welded-aluminum fireboats for Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland.The new 50 Defiant NXT monohull pilothouse fireboats were designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and are now under construction at the company’s Franklin, La. shipyard. The newbuilds were ordered to replace the department's 20-year-old main fireboat, Lady Anne, delivered from MetalCraft Marine in 2023.
Metal Shark Hires Marshall as Executive VP
Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark announced it has expanded its executive team with a newly recruited appointment from the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock (NSWC). Jason Marshall joins Metal Shark as Executive Vice President – Programs, following a 30 year career with NSWC’s Combatant Craft Division (CCD).Marshall most recently served as CCD’s In-Service Systems Engineering Branch Head (2019-2023)…
New Vessel Enters Service for Fire Island Ferries
Fire Island Ferries has taken delivery of its newest vessel, Fire Island Maid, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) and built by Metal Shark in Bayou La Batre, Ala.The 70- by 23-foot multipurpose vehicle ferry features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure and is equipped with a hydraulic ramp for loading and unloading heavy equipment. The reinforced deck is capable of supporting fully loaded concrete trucks and general cargo up to 100,000 pounds.
Anchorage Launch Gets New Metal Shark-built Crew Boat
Metal Shark delivered a welded-aluminum 45 Defiant crew boat to Anchorage Launch Services Company, an Oregon-based operator providing launch, line, pilotage, and cargo services to vessels on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.Designed in-house by the Metal Shark engineering team and built at the company’s Jeanerette, La., production facility, the 47 x 12 ft. twin-diesel waterjet-powered “Triumph VII” is now in service.“Our captains…
From Surface to Subsea to Space: U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Outlook 2022
As a rudderless U.S. Navy debates maritime strategy, fleet futures and platform performance, America’s naval shipbuilding industry can look forward to another year of relative stasis.Barring a major geopolitical incident or unexpected maritime provocation, government shipbuilding isn’t going to change course. With Admiral Michael Gilday approaching the final “lame duck” year of his four-year term as Chief of Naval Operations and the 2024 election season looming…
US Supplying Ukraine with Over 20 Metal Shark Military Vessels
The United States is providing Ukraine with a range of defense articles, including 23 welded-aluminum military vessels built by Louisiana-based Metal Shark, to help Ukraine to better protect its coastline, waterways and ports.Last week it was announced that six of the U.S. Navy’s new 40 PB maritime combat vessels would be sent to Ukraine as part of a $450 million security assistance package. Built…
Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft
My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay…
