MARAD Awards More Than $20 Mln to Small US Shipyards
More than $20 million in grant funding has been awarded to support capital improvement projects at 29 small shipyards in 22 states across the U.S.The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportationâs Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program, supports capital improvements that foster increased efficiency and economic growth.âThese grants are an investment in our countryâs small shipyards and will help create good jobs for Americaâs workers,â said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L.
Front Street Shipyard Partners with Norwegian Ferry Builder
Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, Maine, is partnering with Brødrene Aa in Hyen, Norway, to market, sell and build carbon fiber ferries throughout the United States under the new company name Arcadia Alliance. Working in conjunction with Maine Composites Alliance and Martin Grimnes, a Norwegian composites expert living in Maine, Arcadia Alliance is marketing its highly efficient ferries to state and federal agencies seeking to replace aging, inefficient passenger vessels. Brødrene Aa currently designs and builds carbon-fiber passenger vessels in its 86âŚ
Front Street Unveils New Line of Sailing Yachts
The US builders Front Street Shipyardâs in-house design team is collaborating with yacht designer Bill Tripp to develop a new line of modern sloops that are now available for construction. The shipyard said the line includes 84-foot, 102-foot and 112-foot yachts that are performance-oriented with a range of interior options. The composite sailboat line is positioned as a competitive new option for new construction at the shipyardâs Belfast, Maine, facility. The sailing systems on Front Street Shipyardâs newest designs are fully hydraulic with carbon fiber rig packages. Twin headstay furlers provide a working jib on the inner stay and a reaching sail on the outer stay.
Front Street Shipyard Contracted to Build Hi-speed Patrol Boats
Maine's Front Street Shipyard says it is beginning immediate construction on high-performance multi-hulls for Trefoil Marine which will be used primarily for military, police patrol, fire and rescue services. The shipbuilders inform that these patrol boats are a catamaran design by Donald L. Blount and Associates (DLBA) of Chesapeake, VA, with superior stability, predictable handling and a smooth ride. The corrosion-free, infused composite construction vessels combine shallow draft with minimal wake. The vessel can be beached or stored without the need for a cradle.
ABBRA Names Front Street 'Boatyard of the Year'
The American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) presents its 2013 Boatyard of the Year Award to Front Street Shipyard, Belfast, Maine. The award was presented at Boatyard Business Conference Awards Dinner & 70th Anniversary Celebration held recently in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida. It is one of ABBRAâs most prestigious Awards of Excellence, given to the service or repair facility that demonstrates excellence in all facets of their company. âYou would be hard pressedâŚ
New W-class Yacht Designs
W-Class Yacht Company is expanding its family of yachts to include 100â, 123â and 135â models. The first of the new designs, the W.123', was developed by Bruce Johnson (formerly of Sparkman & Stephens) in collaboration with Rockport Marine Yacht Design. The new racer/cruiser yachts will retain the âSpirit of Traditionâ and performance attributes of the existing W-Class Yacht Companyâs W.37â, W.46â and W.76â models. The W-Class yachts will be built at Front Street Shipyard in BelfastâŚ
Trefoil Marine Launches Wide-body Tri-Air 30
Trefoil Marine successfully trialed its newest "wide-body" version of its Tri-Air line of high performance craft. Driven by twin 150 hp Suzuki outboards the boat reached speeds of over 40 mph on initial trials. The configuration shown above uses the smallest console configuration to give almost 250 square feet of deck space. With this huge area, carrying sails or other equipment at speeds of over 50 mph (with 225 hp outboards), moving high-volume equipment or up to eight people is easy and fast.
Careers in the U.S. $70 Billion Composites Industry
IYRS, a Rhode Island marine trades & technology school, to partner with Maine businesses to run 'Open House' prorgrams on careers & training opportunities in the composites industry. âComposites construction has a wide range of application in todayâs industryâand many individuals may not realize that there are a wealth of career opportunities for those with the right level of interest, aptitude and skill,â said Clark Poston of IYRS. IYRS will partner with Maine businesses Front Street Shipyard and the Kenway Corporation to offer the open house programs on the composite materials method of building pioneered by boat builders that has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Composites construction is used today by many industriesâincluding marine, transportation, wind energy, aerospace and others.
