Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders News
Nichols Brothers Wins Contract to Build NOMARS Uncrewed Vessel
Freeland, Wash. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) announced it has been awarded a contract to construct an uncrewed autonomous vessel for the U.S. Department of Defense's research and development agency.The No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) project was awarded by Serco North America, the prime contractor and designer of the vessel, for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).The…
Washington State Ferries' Cathlamet Repaired After Terminal Allision
A Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessel has been repaired after it allided into the Fauntleroy dock in Seattle last summer.Everett, Wash. repair yard Everett Ship Repair (ESR) served as the prime contractor for emergency repairs to WSF's Cathlamet, and it subcontracted sister-company Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) to construct a new steel pickle fork at its facility on Whidbey Island. A pickle…
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Hires Roney as Sales, Marketing Director
Peter Roney has been hired to join the executive management team supporting U.S. West Coast shipyards Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Everett Ship Repair.The news was announced by Shared Ice Services (SIS) is a subsidiary of Ice Cap Holding, the parent company of Ice Floe, dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and Everett Ship Repair (ESR). SIS was recently established to support the operations of the two shipyards.NBBB is a newbuild and repair yard in Freeland…
Marine News' Top Boats of 2021
Sea Change - America’s first hydrogen powered ferrySWITCH Maritime’s new 70-foot passenger ferry Sea Change is navigating uncharted waters as the United States’ first zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell-powered, electric-drive ferry.The pioneering aluminum newbuild, constructed by Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), has been completed and was launched this summer, though permitting of hydrogen fuel systems for maritime vessels is still being worked out with the U.S.
Nichols Brothers Delivers Second Ferry to Kitsap Transit
Shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) said it has delivered the second of two 255-passenger-only ferries to Kitsap Transit of Bremerton, Wash. Like the first-in-class-vessel the Enetai, the Commander outperformed design expectations during vessel trials, delivering to Kitsap Transit a lighter, faster, and smoother riding vessel, the builder said. Kitsap Transit awarded a design and construction contract to Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for two new ferries in December 2018.
Nichols Brothers Delivers Fourth Tug to Foss
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) said it has delivered the final vessel in a series of four new tugs for Foss Maritime.The ASD-90 tractor tugs Jamie Ann, Sarah Avrick, Leisa Florence and Rachael Allen were completed and delivered between April 2020 and June 2021. Foss, a division of the Saltchuk company, will station two of the vessels in Los Angeles/Long Beach, while the other two vessels will…
Foss to Operate Autonomous Harbor Tug
Foss Maritime’s newest vessel will be the first U.S.-flag harbor tug to integrate autonomous systems in real-world commercial operations.Launched on April 29 and scheduled for delivery in May 2021, the newly built 90-ton bollard pull Rachael Allen—the fourth in a series of ASD-90 Z-drive tractor tugs being built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, in Freeland, Wash.—will feature Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 autonomous-command and -control system.
Mackay Marine Outfits Kitsap Transit's New Ferries
Mackay Marine said it provided marine electronics systems and technologies for Kitsap Transit's two new 250-passenger vessels built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Bremerton, Wash.-based public transit agency ordered the new vessels in December 2018 to provide expedient commuter services to downtown Seattle from both Kingston, Wash. and a planned Southworth, Wash. route.The bow-loading fast ferries, built by NBBB at its Whidbey Island, Wash.
Nichols Brothers Launches Tug for Foss
Leisa Florence, the third of four ASD-90 Class tugs for Foss Maritime, was launched at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) on Wednesday.The ASD-90 Class tugs designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants are 100’ x 40’ Z-Drive tractor tugs are built to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter “M” regulatory standards, with ABS loadline certification and UWILD notation.The vessels are equipped with two MTU series 4000 main engines, meeting Tier 4 emission standards, coupled to Kongsberg US255 azimuth thrusters.
Foss' New Tug Arrives in Long Beach
The Jaime Ann, the first of four new ASD-90 tugs constructed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for the Saltchuk family of companies, arrived today in her new homeport of Long Beach, in California. Powerful enough to escort the largest tankers and containerships calling on ports in the U.S. West Coast, Jaime Ann will provide tanker escort and assists for Foss Maritime’s customers in the Ports of LA/Long Beach area.Along with her 6866 horsepower and 90ST bollard pull…
Insights: Gavin Higgins, CEO, Everett Ship Repair
Everett Ship Repair (ESR) is a relatively new name in the U.S. ship repair business. Established in October 2019, the Pacific Northwest shipyard is owned by Ice Cap Holdings, LLC, which is also the parent company to another shipyard not too far away: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Both ESR and NBBB are headed up by CEO Gavin Higgins, who is responsible for the development of new business opportunities and cultivation of new business relationships…
Foss Maritime Christens Tier 4 Tug
Seattle-based Foss Maritime christened the new 90-ton tugboat Jamie Ann on February 29.The first of four new ASD-90 tugs under construction at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash., the newbuild will be followed by sister vessels Sarah Averick, Leisa Florence and Rachael Allen, all scheduled to be delivered this year for service within the Saltchuk Marine family of companies.Jamie Ann’s upgrades include two MTU Tier 4 engines producing 6…
GREAT WORKBOATS: The Very Best 10 of 2018
MarineNews showcases the ten best of North America’s 2018 workboat deliveries. Domestic shipyard production is robust, innovative and getting greener. And, that…
M/V National Geographic Venture Launched at Nichols Brothers
The expedition cruise sector has been one of the fastest growing parts of the passenger vessel market, driven by a growing group of wealthy clientele willing and able to take the time and pay the money for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime journey to some of the world's most remote and exotic locales.Linblad Expeditions has been a clear leader in the sector, and recently its latest vessel -- M/V National…
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Launch M/V Robert Franco
On March 14, 2013 Nichols Brothers Boat Builders launched the M/V Robert Franco the first of two tractor tugs Nichols has contracted with Harley Marine Services. Nichols began construction of the 100’ x 40’ Z-drive ship assist tractor tug in May of 2012. On March 14th 2013 Nichols launched the vessel into Holmes Harbor of Whidbey Island from their Freeland Shipyard. The vessel was then towed to Nichols Langley site for final vessel outfitting, dock and sea trials.
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Looks at Expanding
According to a report from the South Whidbey Record, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders is looking at expanding its operations into Oak Harbor, Wash. in order to have…
