Page 37: of Marine News Magazine (October 2010)

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MarineNews Yearbook

Boatyards • by Raina Clark 2010

In the vessel construction market, small boat builder All

American Marine of Bellingham, Wash., and RIB builder

Wing Inflatables of Arcata, Calif. both reported a satisfac- tory 2010 in their niche markets, with good reasons to be optimistic about 2011. Bollinger Shipyards, a major builder in the offshore market also had a good 2010, but is bracing for the impact of the drilling moratorium going into 2011. Meanwhile, new yard, Argosy Boat Company, of Pierre Part, La., is still working to establish itself as a diesel-electric, Z-drive towboat builder.

Wing Inflatables builds sponsons for rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) whose missions range from disaster relief and protecting the U.S. fleet to whale watching excursions.

President Bill Wing said “Wing Inflatables has been steadily growing and 2010 will end well.” The company expects stable growth in its core sponson business and has launched its newest product, the P-4.7 Combat Rubber

Raiding Craft (CRRC). The CRRC is used in littoral operations and can be broken down, folded up and trans- ported. “As fuel prices continue to rise, we believe more and more agencies will consider RIBs or inflatable alternatives in lieu of totally rigid constructed boats. The weight sav- ings translates into lower fuel consumption and lower operating expense,” Wing said. “In boarding situations,

RIBs are particularly well-suited because they allow con- tact with the subject vessel without inflicting or incurring damage and they offer shock mitigation, and flotation of course.”

Above:

Production on the floor of All American Marine’s facilities in Bellingham,

Wash.

Right:

All American Marine

President Matt Mullet