Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (October 2017)

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BOATBUILDING

Tampa Yacht “Our main focus is the design, engineering and construction of high- performance, multi-mission military vessels, with platforms of ered from 10 to 21 meters in length. T ey’re custom conf gured for interception; interdiction; take-down; and VBSS--visit, board, search and seizure.” – Robert Stevens, CEO of Tampa Yacht Manufacturing requirements, using commercial, off-the-shelf equipment Swiftships: on cutting edge with its Corvette and standardizing choices of materials to guarantee a qual- “In years past, larger vessels were required for endurance, ity product through repetitive manufacturing methodolo- seakeeping characteristics, weapons platforms and advance- gies,” he said. ments in technology,” Shehraze Shah, CEO at Swiftships

In 2015, Stevens had the privilege of meeting the First Inc. in Morgan City, La., said. “More recently, a reduction

Sea Lord in England, the Royal Navy’s professional head in the footprints of major systems has enabled builders to and board chairman Admiral Sir George Zambellas. “In construct smaller, more capable vessels.” Foreign militaries our meeting, he explained that, given the geopolitical envi- are moving to smaller platforms because of shrinking bud- ronment, governments were confronted with severely cur- gets and a need to save on fuel. “Demand has shifted from tailed military budgets, Stevens said. “That, coupled with 5,000-ton ships to 1,500- to 2,000-ton vessels,” Shah said. the aging of the