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Ulrich Gottschling News

19 Nov 2020

Hanscom Named GM of Willard Marine

Eugene Hanscom (Photo: Willard Marine)

Boatbuilder Willard Marine announced Eugene Hanscom has been appointed general manager.The industry veteran came to Willard in May of 2020 as the director of finance. Prior to that he spent the last six years with Curtin Maritime, a Long Beach-based maritime construction services company, as vice president of finance. Hanscom got his start in the industry by gaining his USCG Masters License and operating charter fishing trips on various vessels berthing at Fisherman’s Landing, San Diego.“I look forward to steering Willard into the next generation of its long history of success.

05 Aug 2016

USN Licenses Boat Design from Willard Marine

The United States Navy and Willard Marine have executed a licensing agreement for a Willard Marine boat design to serve as the guideline for the Navy’s new 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) government design. For 27 years, Willard Marine has designed and built U.S. Navy ship-board RIBs that are 7- and 11-meters in length featuring a wide variety of propulsion, deck and outfitting arrangements. This licensing agreement allows the U.S. Navy to utilize Willard’s Sea Force® 1100, U.S. Navy model RIB design to create an all new Navy 11-meter RIB. The new RIBs will be used in their American fleets around the world, and it enables select international militaries to purchase the vessels through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs.

26 Jan 2016

Willard Marine Delivers SOLAS 670 to U.S. Army

Willard Marine, Inc., recently delivered a SOLAS 670 rescue boat to the U.S. Army to serve aboard the USACE Dredge McFarland in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Outfitted with a Volvo Penta D3 220hp inboard engine paired with a Hamilton Jet HJ2274 water jet, the 22’ 5” SOLAS rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) performs at speeds of up to 26.5 knots and accommodates nine passengers. A Cranston Eagle single-point lifting frame is incorporated into the SOLAS 670 to allow for a more dynamic launch and recovery system. Extensive safety features include a self-righting frame and a 40-ounce, UV-resistant polyurethane collar with a reinforced rub strake.

15 Jan 2016

Oceanside Police Orders Crystaliner from Willard Marine

Willard Marine, Inc., a global leader in the manufacture of mission-proven boats, has received an order to produce a 33-foot, fiberglass harbor patrol boat for the Oceanside Police Department in California based on the iconic “Crystaliner” boat design. The order from Oceanside Police Department marks the first Crystaliner to be purchased from Willard Marine since they acquired the licensing and manufacture rights from Crystaliner, which folded in 2012. Willard’s more contemporary Crystaliner design includes new electronic systems, upgraded hull construction and powerful firefighting features. With a length of 33 feet and beam over 10 feet, its large open deck space is ideal for search and rescue missions, law enforcement safety and firefighting operations.

07 Oct 2015

Willard Unveils New RHIB in Australia

Photo: Willard Marine

Willard Marine, Inc. unveiled its new SEA FORCE 777 this week at the Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, Australia. The military-grade, fiberglass, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) is 7.77-meters long, 2.74-meters wide and designed with a deep-V hull. The Steyr SE306J38 diesel engine with ZF-63 marine gear powering a Hamilton Jet drive HJ-274 provides 300 horsepower for a nine-member crew and can achieve 32 knots. Nine Ullman Dynamics shock-mitigating seats are installed.

01 Oct 2015

Willard to Build 3 Survey Ships for NOAA

Image: Willard Marine

Willard Marine informs it was awarded a contract to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with three aluminum hydrographic survey launch ships (HSLs). The three 28-foot HSLs will be used to conduct oceanographic surveys with hull-mounted and towed sonar units in U.S. coastal waters. A Cummins QSC8.3 engine capable of 510 HP with a ZF Marine 305-2 transmission will be used to power the boats. Outfitted to support traditional manned survey operations, the HSLs will offer additional flexibility to add unmanned autonomous capability.

06 Sep 2015

Willard Marine's Patrol Boats for Philippine National Police

The United States Department of State awarded a contract to Willard Marine, Inc., to provide the Philippine National Police Maritime Group with patrol vessels equipped to conduct search and rescue operations along Philippine maritime borders. This contract marks the third time Willard Marine has been chosen to provide military vessels to the Philippines. Willard has also developed boats recently for international military use by the Navy of Ukraine and the Nepalese Army. Willard Marine will provide the Philippine National Police Maritime Group with aluminum, 30-foot patrol boats with twin 480-hp engines and dual water jets, as well as 34-foot patrol boats with 600-hp engines and dual water jets.

04 May 2015

Willard Adds Sales Manager for Gulf Coast, Florida

Jimmy Sorenson (Photo: Willard Marine)

Willard Marine, Inc. has hired Jimmy Sorenson as regional sales manager for the Gulf Coast and Florida. Sorenson served 11 years with the U.S. Coast Guard in many roles including machinery technician and maritime law enforcement instructor, and earned the boat coxswain certification. For the past 14 years, Sorenson managed business for an aluminum boat manufacturer, including proposal and quote development for a team of sales representatives. “Jimmy’s extensive experience with the U.S.

11 Dec 2014

Willard Marine to Develop Crystaliner

Willard Marine, Inc., has acquired the rights to design and manufacture Crystaliner boats, a line of surf and rescue vessels that have been an icon on the West Coast for nearly six decades. Crystaliner was founded in Southern California in 1956 by John Norek and specialized in fiberglass recreational and commercial boats that were particularly popular with lifeguards, harbor patrol and rescue operations. Crystaliner is credited with building the molds for the Navy’s first 16’ fiberglass lifeboat, and in 1959, the first fiberglass boat to win the Miami Nassau Race. Although the company closed its doors in 2012, Crystaliners are still being used by law enforcement and lifeguard divisions in the California coastal cities of Long Beach…

04 Dec 2014

Willard Licenses SeaArk Commercial, Military Boats

Photo courtesy of Willard Marine

Willard Marine, Inc., has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SeaArk Marine, Inc., to build all of its commercial and military boat models, of which 7,000 have been sold worldwide since SeaArk Marine’s founding nearly 60 years ago. Based in Monticello, Ark., SeaArk Marine is family owned and was operated by the McClendon family beginning in 1959, and they experienced great success delivering boats to all 50 states, every U.S. held territory, and over 70 countries around the world.

17 Nov 2014

Willard Marine to Develop SOLAS FRBs for NOAA

Willard Marine's 670 SOLAS rescue boat (Photo courtesy of Willard Marine)

Willard Marine, Inc. has been awarded contracts to develop two new sizes of Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Fast Rescue Boats (FRBs) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). An inboard-powered 5.9-meter SOLAS rescue boat with waterjet propulsion will be built for the NOAA ship Nancy Foster and a 5.4-meter outboard-powered SOLAS rescue boat is contracted for the Hi’ialakia in Hawaii. The SOLAS self-bailing fiberglass-hull RIBs are gel-coated international orange. Willard Marine will acquire the necessary U.S. Coast Guard SOLAS certification for both vessels.

11 Nov 2014

US Navy Orders More RIBs from Willard Marine

Photo: Willard Marine

The U.S. Navy has awarded Willard Marine, Inc. a contract for a new generation of 11-meter RIBs for standard ship’s boat operations. To date, eight standard craft with an Open Center Console (OCC) configuration and two OCC LPD-17 class variants have been ordered. This contract specifies Cummins QSB 6.7-liter 380-hp twin engines paired with Hamilton Jet HJ292 waterjets. Each vessel will have aft seating plus removable seating for additional people on the foredeck and all will be delivered with WING inflatable tubes.

04 Nov 2014

Willard Marine Wins US Navy RIB Contract

Photo courtesy of Willard Marine

The U.S. Navy has awarded Willard Marine, Inc. (WMI), a five-year contract to provide two types of 7-meter rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that will serve as ready service lifeboats for search-and-rescue missions. The contract includes a standard craft based on the 7-meter RIB WMI has been producing for the Navy for 25 years, and a separate version specifically for LPD-17 class ships, which WMI has also been supplying for a number of years. Twenty-four vessels have already been ordered under the contract and the first scheduled delivery begins in March 2015.

22 Oct 2014

US Navy Orders Demonstration Craft from Willard Marine

Photo courtesy of Willard Marine, Inc.

Willard Marine, Inc. (WMI) announced it has been selected through a solicitation process to supply a demonstration model of a new, advanced combatant craft for the U.S. Navy under an SBIR contract modification awarded to Structural Composites, Inc. Under the contract, WMI will design, construct and test a fleet-ready version of an advanced combatant craft incorporating foam/fiberglass extrusion technology developed by Structural Composites. The boat will be based on WMI’s standard U.S. Navy MK 3 RIB with a lightweight Steyr diesel engine and sterndrive propulsion.

15 Oct 2014

Willard Marine Names Sales Team Additions

Bob Beck Jr. (left), and Renée St. Lawrence

Willard Marine, Inc. (WMI), a manufacturer of composite and aluminum boats for 57 years, announced the appointments of Bob Beck Jr. and Renée St. Lawrence to its sales team. Beck joins the WMI Sales and Training team with more than 24 years of experience in the U.S. Coast Guard where he held several ranks and also acted as the Supervisor of Coast Guard Units managing personnel, budgets and maintenance contracts. Upon retiring from the Coast Guard, Beck joined Zodiac as the Coast Guard Customer Support Manager and Director of the Maritime Training Academy…

22 Sep 2014

MN 100: Willard Marine

1250 N. Grove St. Founded in 1957, Willard Marine designs and builds aluminum and fiberglass boats for government and commercial applications. The company specializes in rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs), high-speed patrol boats and SOLAS-approved rescue boats. The company’s state-of-the-art ISO 9001:2008 manufacturing facility is based in Anaheim, California. An East Coast manufacturing and reconditioning center is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Willard’s capabilities include custom design, fabrication, naval engineering, refurbishment, spare parts, maintenance and crew training.

04 Feb 2014

Jacquelin Named Willard Marketing Director

Karen Jacquelin

Willard Marine announced the appointment of Karen Jacquelin as director of marketing earlier today. Jacquelin will be responsible for leading Willard Marine’s product and brand marketing strategy, including all advertising, public relations and event marketing initiatives. She will be based out of the company’s corporate offices in Anaheim, Calif. Jacquelin brings more than 20 years of integrated brand advertising, marketing, and business development experience to Willard Marine. She has held management positions at Young & Rubicam, Xperience Communications and the Irvine Company.

02 Aug 2013

Willard Marine Appoints Bryson Director of Engineering

Richard Bryson: Photo credit Willard Marine

With over 20 years of maritime experience, Bryson was previously with Derecktor Shipyards, Christensen Shipyards, and Heisley Marine Corp. Bryson also served as Director of Engineering at Brunswick Corporation, overseeing approximately 50 engineers and launching eight new products annually over a five-year period. Bryson also spent time with Clipper Windpower where he served as Program Manager. “I can’t express enough how excited I am to work with Willard Marine,” says Bryson. “While at Brunswick, it was very hard to find ways to compete with Willard. Their fleets were all handmade in the U.S.

26 Sep 2013

Willard Provides High-speed Umpire Boat for America’s Cup

Photo: Willard Marine

Those who have been watching the America’s Cup races in San Francisco Bay may have noticed the high-speed umpire boat racing alongside the sailboats. The 43-ft. interceptor craft was provided by Willard Marine, a 56-year-old boat builder based in southern California. The boat is based on an offshore racing design and was originally built by Willard Marine for military special warfare missions, such as interdicting and boarding vessels in the open ocean. Powered by twin 600hp inboard turbocharged diesel engines with a high-speed surface drive, the interceptor can sustain speeds up to 60 knots.

12 Dec 2013

Willard Contracted for 42 U.S. Army SOLAS Rescue Boats

Photo: Willard Marine

Willard Marine, a 56-year-old builder of composite and aluminum boats, has received a contract to supply 42 rescue boats for U.S. Army supply ships and landing craft. Under the contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Warren, Michigan, Willard Marine will deliver 16-ft. rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs) for eight Logistic Support Vessels (LSV) and 34 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels. The boats will be built at the company’s plant in Southern California. Deliveries will take place between March and August 2014.

06 Jan 2014

Willard Names Wang as New Director

Ning Wang

Willard Marine, a 56-year-old builder of composite and aluminum boats, today announced the appointment of Ning Wang as director of operations and program management. Wang will be responsible for overseeing Willard Marine’s planning, purchasing, stockroom and IT operations. He will be based in the company’s corporate offices in Anaheim, Calif. Wang brings over a decade of management experience in the wireless and technology industries to Willard Marine. He has held senior operations, business development and management positions at AnyDATA Corporation and Transaction Network Services.

27 Jan 2014

Willard Delivers Rescue Boats in Alaska

Photo: Willard Marine

Willard Marine, a 56-year-old builder of composite and aluminum boats, has delivered two rescue boats for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). Under the contract, Willard Marine is supplying two U.S. Coast Guard-approved SEA FORCE 670 SOLAS fast rescue boats (FRBs) for the 418-ft. passenger/ro-ro ferry M/V Columbia. Each of the two 22-ft. fiberglass 670 FRBs is powered by an inboard 230 HP diesel engine and water jet and can carry up to nine passengers. The boats meet all…

03 Feb 2014

Willard to Build Ukrainian Navy Patrol Boats

Photo: Willard Marine

Willard Marine, a builder of composite and aluminum boats, has received an order to supply the Ukrainian navy with four aluminum patrol boats, with an option for a fifth. Under the contract, issued by the U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sales (FMS) office, Willard Marine is supplying two SEA FORCE 11-meter and two SEA FORCE seven-meter aluminum patrol boats, each with an open cockpit configuration. An additional seven-meter patrol boat will be supplied upon request. The 11-meter boats are powered by Cummins QSB 5.9 380 HP engines and Hamilton model HJ292 water jets.