Page 27: of Marine News Magazine (January 2013)

vessels. Located on the Taunton River in Somerset, Mass., the family- owned and operated shipyard counts almost 400 vessels built as proof of its longevity and vessel reliability. George Duclos, CEO and chairman, co- founded the yard with Pret Gladding and Richard Hearn, and eventually bought out his partners in 1983. The domestic pilot boat market cannot be discussed without also mentioning that Gladding-Hearn has more launches operating in the United States than any other shipyard. Notably and after building pilot boats for more than two decades, the yard joined forces with designer C. Raymond Hunt Associates in 1978 to build the Þ rst launch with a deep-V hull, soon to become the industry standard. Today, Gladding-HearnÕs portfolio includes the construction of tugs, Þ re and patrol/rescue boats, research vessels, and by the mid-1980s, high- speed catamaran passenger ferries. As a licensee of designer Incat Crowther in Australia, Gladding-Hearn has since built the lionÕs share of fast cats on the East Coast and the Great Lakes. Beyond this, and while Gladding-Hearn often uses other designs for their newbuild vessels, they also employ a full service, in-house design shop. Referring to the Ava Pearl and Yankee Freedom III projects, Duclos told MarineNews in December, ÒThese were real projects. No subsidies or grants were involved. Both made the economy grow and the buyers in both cases had to borrow and take risks.Ó No doubt that risk (and the anxiety that often goes with it in these uncertain times on the water) was considerably lessened simply by the knowledge that both buyers had already established a track record with DuclosÕ Shipyard and that previous deliveries had performed well, exceeding expectations and were both still in the water. U.S.-based, smaller shipbuilders are Þ nding their niche in a competitive, but upbeat domestic market. That said; thin margins make for a complicated Ôbid and buildÕ environment. On this scale, the difference between success and failure can often be measured in simply in the quality of the last boat delivered. Proven quality, repeat business and competitive pricing Ð whether it comes in the pilot boat markets or for cutting edge designed ferries Ð are proving to be the key to Gladding-HearnÕs success. And, thatÕs not hard to understand, is it? New Orleans(504) 780-8100 ? Fax (504) 780-8200Norfolk(757) 545-0100 ? Fax (757) 545-8004Houston(281) 452-5887 ? Fax (281) 452-9682www.mcdonoughmarine.comwww.mcdonoughmarine.comLARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTHBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTH? 16 Fleeting locations inland rivers, Gulf, East and West Coast ? Inland and Ocean towing services LARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESwww.marinelink.com MN 27MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 27MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 271/2/2013 2:26:33 PM1/2/2013 2:26:33 PM