Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (October 2017)

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BOATBUILDING

Tampa Yacht

Swiftships

Economics and Utility Rede? ne

Today’s Workboat Output

GoM shipyards are meeting the demand for right-sized, multi-mission boats.

By Susan Buchanan n the last decade, Gulf Coast shipyards have watched became increasingly apparent in 2009 to 2010,” Robert demand for multi-mission vessels grow from foreign Stevens, CEO of Tampa Yacht Manufacturing in Pinellas governments and U.S. authorities. In particular, lo- Park, Fla., said last month. “Before that, lots of govern-

I cal counties and municipalities – pinched by shrinking ments weren’t particularly concerned with price. But be- budgets and expanding mission sets – began the march to cause of geopolitical considerations, authorities have had leverage a single hull for more than one task. And, since far fewer resources to devote to the military and defense.” these boats can serve military or civilian needs, the need In this case, the ‘geopolitics’ that Stevens alludes to high- for boatbuilders to quickly adapt a standard hull form to lights the in