Has the Fast Cat Come to A Halt?
Long hailed for its innovative "fast cat" vessels that were developed by Robert Clifford and Phil Hercus in the 1980's Incat Australia delivered not a new cat last month, but news of an impending bankruptcy. Could this be the end of the fast cats that have dominated the aluminum shipbuilding world for the past 20 years? During the first week of March the Hobart shipyard admitted that it was suffering from financial difficulties, and responded by laying off several hundred employees. In fact, according to Australian news sources, the yard has 1,000 less employees than it did one year ago — despite having won an $80 million contract from the U.S. Military for a 101-m high speed support vessel — transporting American troops throughout the Japanese Islands for the next three years.
Australian Maritime Report:Speed to Spare
The Australian marine industry is noted for building large, fast, efficient vessels, primarily for commercial ferry purposes. But as coastal patrol needs grow, so too do the military applications for these amazing breeds. Following is a brief review of some of the recent news from Down Under. Hobart-based shipbuilder Incat is emerging from a challenging year with news of not one, but two orders for the United States military. Just three weeks after the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) announced the lease of their first Theater Support for the Army from Bollinger/Incat USA. Military Sealift Command (MSC), Washington, D.C., also announced a contract for a 322-ft. (98-m) craft from Bollinger/Incat USA, to support U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command.
Bollinger/Incat Ink Navy Deal
Incat has confirmed a contract for with the U.S. Military. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting arm that will lease the craft from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, Lockport, La., to support U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command. The contract comes just three weeks after the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) announced the lease of their first Theater Support Vessel TSV –1X Spearhead (Incat hull 060) for the Army from Bollinger/Incat USA. The craft will be developed from a part built commercial vessel (Incat Hull 061) currently under construction at the Hobart, Tasmania shipyard with delivery of the vessel to Ingleside, Texas in June, 2003. Incat’s U.S.
