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www.marinelink.com MN 39 with the Navy for about a dozen boats — 37-ft twin diesel catamarans with waterjets.” That contract launched Moose Boats into other law enforcement agencies. In Moose

Boats’ 11 years, Fleck said the govern- ment “procurement process has become more segmented or catego- rized. It’s a little more process orient- ed and formal.” This makes it a longer and more rigorous process he said. In addition to changes in the procurement process, increasing requirements for certification and testing documentation has added complexity to the building process.

However, he said, “we haven’t had any trouble meeting those certifications.” “The Navy has required a little more verification and certification of different components, things that have to do with safety.” This includes third party documentation of towing capabilities, tests on critical welds and lifting points and so forth for each boat manufactured.

Meanwhile, Fleck confirmed that the combat craft market has weak- ened. “The need has dropped and my perception is that the funding has diminished,” he said. “The Navy has probably saturated the market place already. After 9-11 they ramped up a lot of small boat purchases and now there is probably only the need for replacements.”

Luckily, Fleck said, “we’re a relative- ly small company. Only about 20 of us, all told. We do about six to 12 boats at a time with the capability for a dozen to 15 boats a year. It doesn’t take a lot to feed us quite comfort- ably.”

Moose Boats is also looking at dif- ferent markets and larger hulls beyond its original 35 to 37-ft diesel, waterjet driven catamaran, the M2.

The yard introduced the 44 and 48-ft

M1 as well as Moose Boats’ newest vessel, the 34-ft monohull M3. “The market we’re probably pene- trating a little bit more now is the fire and rescue market with the M2 and

M1 platform. Small coastal commu- nities are showing interest in these.

Mostly for the rescue or EMS aspect of these boats.”

Overall, Fleck said, “we’re pretty

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