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Chris Allard News

09 Feb 2024

Metal Shark Boosts Production Capacity with Third Louisiana Facility

(Credit: Metal Shark)

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, Metal Shark is looking to boost its production capacity.Together with its nearby Jeanerette and Franklin production facilities…

26 Oct 2023

Metal Shark Building Fireboats for Anne Arundel County FD

(Image: Metal Shark)

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. The new vessels will offer faster speeds enabling shorter response times…

08 Aug 2022

Metal Shark Bulding Military Patrol Vessel for Guyana Defense Force

Credit: Metal Shark

Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark is building a welded aluminum monohull patrol vessel for the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).Construction of the 115ft x 27ft (35m x 8m) vessel is underway at Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard on the new 115 Defiant multi-mission vessel designed in-house by Metal Shark’s engineering team and being acquired by the GDF via direct purchase. Once complete, the new vessel will join the eight other Metal Shark interdiction and patrol vessels currently in service with the GDF.“Due to increasing maritime security concerns…

28 Jun 2022

US Supplying Ukraine with Over 20 Metal Shark Military Vessels

(Photo: Metal Shark)

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 by Metal Shark and delivered to the Navy in 2021 as part of a currently active defense contract for 50 vessels…

23 Nov 2021

Metal Shark Delivers Pilot Boat to Pascagoula Pilots

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Boat builder Metal Shark said it has delivered a 55- by 17-foot welded aluminum pilot boat to the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association in Mississippi.Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built at the company’s Franklin, La. shipyard, the new Singing River Island is the second Metal Shark pilot boat to join the Pascagoula Pilots fleet. It represents the latest evolution in the Louisiana-based builder’s Defiant-class pilot boat lineup, combining a proven hull form with a modern…

22 Nov 2021

Marine News' Top Boats of 2021

Sea Change (Photo: All America Marine)

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. Coast Guard.“Legislation and laws for passenger safety did not exist yet for this type of vessel.

30 Jul 2021

Metal Shark Delivers Next-gen Fireboat to Orange Beach Fire Rescue

Credit: Metal Shark

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…

28 Jun 2021

Metal Shark: Moving Fast Ahead

Metal Shark has recently introduced the 45, 52, and 63 Fearless Super Interceptors, boasting top speeds of 70 knots. (Image: Metal Shark)

In any business, companies that achieve success must do at least one thing extraordinarily well. Shipbuilders like Metal Shark Boats are among companies that have taken their success to the next level by do a lot of things well. Government and commercial. Aluminum, steel and fiberglass. Serial and custom. Newbuild and repair. Sixteen to 300-plus feet. Patrol boats, pilot boats, fireboats, passenger ferries. Domestic and international. Metal Shark has thrived across the board.A…

04 Feb 2021

Metal Shark Delivers Two Fireboats to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two of three new welded-aluminum “50 Defiant” monohull pilothouse fireboats to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR).Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built to Lloyds Registry Standard, the welded-aluminum monohull pilothouse fireboats “FB-21” and “FB-73” were acquired to boost MDFR’s maritime firefighting capability and will replace existing vessels in its fleet.Compared to MDFR’s outgoing vessels, the new 55’ x 17.5’ Metal Shark fireboats offer faster speeds enabling shorter response times…

25 Jan 2021

Metal Shark Developing Autonomous Vessel for US Marine Corps

(Image: Metal Shark)

Autonomous vessels are quickly gaining acceptance across the maritime sector, but especially in government and military applications where the technological and safety advantages are most pronounced.On Monday, Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark said it has been selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop and implement the Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV) System, a network of unmanned vessels traveling autonomously for extended ranges and transporting loitering munitions to address targets at sea and on land.The weapons system will be tiered and scalable…

15 Dec 2020

Top Maritime Trends of 2020: Autonomy

Credit Metal Shark

While work on maritime autonomy has proceeded at speed globally, a pair of U.S. companies – Metal Shark and Sea Machines – have jumped to the fore in delivering solutions that have evolved from the research & development department to work on the waterways.When talk turns to “autonomy” in the maritime sector there are more questions than answers. It is generally agreed that the technology is ahead of both legislation and business concerns, such as insurance. It is also generally agreed that short…

02 Dec 2020

Metal Shark Delivers Final NYC Ferry

(Photo: Metal Shark)

With the delivery of Time Traveler, shipbuilder Metal Shark has completed its four-year run of vessel production for NYC Ferry, Operated by Hornblower, handing over the final new vessel to join the fleet.The newbuild is the 12th 85-foot, 150-passenger, USCG Subchapter “T” NYC Ferry passenger vessel built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, La. shipyard since deliveries to NYC Ferry began in April 2017. In that timeframe Metal Shark’s Franklin yard also produced 10 97-foot, 350-passenger…

04 Nov 2020

Metal Shark Receives Presidential Award for Exports

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has been selected to receive the President’s “E” Award for Exports, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.“Metal Shark’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs. The ‘E’ Awards Committee was very impressed with Metal Shark’s phenomenal growth in export sales over the past four years,” said U.S.

29 Sep 2020

US Coast Guard to Trial Autonomous Patrol Boat

(Photo: Metal Shark, Sea Machines)

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) will run an autonomous patrol boat through its paces to gauge whether the innovative technology installed on board can be used to support personnel in executing Coast Guard missions.The vessel to be tested is a Metal Shark welded-aluminum 29 Defiant craft, the latest product of the Louisiana-based shipbuilder’s “Sharktech Autonomous Vessels” division to be equipped with the SM300 autonomous-command and remote-helm technology from Boston-based autonomous technology developer Sea Machines.

25 Sep 2020

Metal Shark Builds Custom Tender for R/V OceanXplorer

A custom 38-foot Defiant-class welded aluminum monohull pilothouse vessel will be carried aboard the recently-launched R/V OceanXplorer (Photo: Andy Mann, OceanX)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark reports it has delivered a new research tender to OceanX, a New York-based nonprofit ocean exploration initiative and media organization.The custom 38-foot Defiant-class welded aluminum monohull pilothouse vessel will be carried aboard the recently-launched one-of-a-kind scientific research, media production and exploration vessel, the R/V OceanXplorer. The combined marine research and media vessel OceanXplorer is both a floating, integrated marine research…

23 Sep 2020

Metal Shark Launches Expedition Yacht Portfolio

(Photo: Metal Shark)

U.S.-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has launched a 48-meter (158’) aluminum catamaran expedition yacht, the first in its newly introduced lineup of high-speed, long range catamaran expedition yachts.The new Metal Shark M48, named Magnet, is the first-ever private recreational yacht built by Metal Shark, a diversified builder of aluminum and steel vessels for military and commercial operators worldwide. In addition to the M48, the company’s Metal Shark Yachts portfolio includes the M30 (30 meters / 100’) and M70 (70 meters / 231’).

21 Aug 2020

Metal Shark Delivers Patrol Boat to the Dominican Republic

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered an 85- by 19.5-foot welded aluminum Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV) to the Dominican Republic’s Navy under a $54 million U.S. Navy contract to produce up to 13 Defiant-class patrol craft for U.S. partner nations.Christened Betelgeuse in keeping with the Dominican tradition of naming military vessels after constellations, the new patrol craft was built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, La. shipyard and officially incorporated into the Dominican…

09 Apr 2020

Metal Shark Eyes Law Enforcement Market Growth

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark reports it has seen increased business from law enforcement agencies, with 20 new law enforcement customers recently added and more than 35 welded aluminum law enforcement vessels either recently delivered or currently in production.Among its new builds, Metal Shark is producing five custom 23-foot Relentless center console patrol boats for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while continuing to deliver 26-foot and 28-foot Relentless center console…

23 Apr 2020

Metal Shark Building Launch for Pascagoula Pilots

The new pilot boat for the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association will be their second Metal Shark pilot boat and the first in a series of this new 55’ Defiant platform. (Image: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark said it is building a welded aluminum 55’ x 17’ pilot boat for the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association in Mississippi, scheduled for delivery later this year.Designed in-house, the new 55 Defiant Pilot being built for Pascagoula Pilots incorporates the“faceted hull” design initially developed by Metal Shark for the U.S. Navy 40 PB program, and features an enhanced version of Metal Shark’s “pillarless glass” in a two-tiered, reverse-raked arrangement.The builder…

01 Apr 2020

US Shipyards Forge Ahead Through COVID-19

The 56-foot icebreaking tugboat being built by Blount Boats for N.Y. Power Authority (NYPA). (Photo: Blount Boats)

As the novel coronavirus and its impacts continue to spread across America, U.S. shipbuilders, by and large, continue to build. While most yards have been deemed essential to marine transportation and/or national security and have been able to maintain operations, the situation at and around every shipyard is different, and there are several builders across the country that have had to temporarily suspend activity. In either scenario, it’s far from business as usual for America’s…

18 Jun 2020

Metal Shark Introduces 52' 'Super Interceptor' Patrol Boat

(Image: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the welded-aluminum “52 Fearless Super Interceptor,” an offshore-capable, ultra-high-performance military patrol vessel delivering 70-knot top speeds. Production has commenced at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, La. production facility, with 15 vessels currently on order for overseas military and law enforcement interests.Metal Shark developed the 52 Fearless Super Interceptor in response to growing demand among military operators for larger and…

04 May 2020

Metal Shark Delivers Towboat to FMT

The new towbaot Stephanie Pasentine is the first buily by Metal Shark at its Alabama shipyard acquired from Horizon Shipbuilding in 2018. (Photo: Metal Shark)

Metal Shark announced Monday its Bayou La Batre, Ala. shipyard has delivered its first newbuild, a 120’ x 35’ river towboat for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT) of Mandeville, La.The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter “M”-compliant towboat Stephanie Pasentine, which bears the distinction of being Louisiana-based Metal Shark’s first-ever steel newbuild and also its first inland towboat, was designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc.The vessel’s twin Cat 3512C marine diesel engines deliver 2…

03 Jan 2020

For Fireboats, The Heat is On

These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities. When they do, they want ‘more bang for their buck,’ combining multiple missions – and the equipment that makes it all possible – onto one hull. That’s a tall order on the typically compact patrol boat style hulls that tend to be big on performance, but short on space for equipment that can demand a significant physical footprint. One such shipbuilder stepping up to plate to deliver on a raft of promises is Gulf Coast-based Metal Shark. Significantly expanding its presence in the fireboat market with a diverse range of fireboats currently in production for multiple customers…