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in safety and accountability. The ability to remote moni- tor ? eets or missions will allow improvements to both the process and the results. The next step will be reduced man- ning. Eventually, the vessels will be networked and com- municate autonomously behind the scenes. Imagine AIS units actually talking to each other, providing corrective actions between vessels, and reporting events to command and control, even in inland waterways.

For the future, Sharktech lies somewhere between the software autonomy providers and the traditional ship- builder. It focuses on the “design for autonomy” elements needed to integrate and support autonomous operations, providing an engineering-centric approach to the complex problem of how to bridge the gap between software and the real-life challenges of the sea.

Ferries, municipal and government patrol boats, ? re- boats, yachts, survey vessels, pilot boats – and now – towboats in Alabama. What will be the next ‘big’ thing in the Metal Shark basket?

Well, it wouldn’t be sporting to share that, but I would say there are logical steps in our trajectory within our existing portfolio. We will continue to reinvest in what we do now, making sure we continue to do the best job possible. We can- not lose sight of what got us here and we must work every day to make sure we continue to grow and improve those skills.

Strong efforts in Pilot boats and Fire boats will be a corner- stone of 2019. We focus our efforts on markets we where we feel we can make a measurable impact. We look for opportu- nities where we can develop product with a reasonably repeti- tive need, and apply new technology, designs, and methods.

The oft-rumored “yacht” we have under construction will be interesting to watch. It’s a unique, immensely ca- pable vessel that will be both loved and loathed. It’s quite different than most of what the market has seen, and I am excited about where it will take us. Will we build multiple of them? I sure hope so. But more than anything, I think it will open new opportunities for us that we aren’t able to see at the moment. It will also offer another option for yacht owners who desire to build a customer yacht domes- tically. A contraction in that market has left few options for

Americans who want to build in the United States.

Longer term, you can expect to see Metal Shark con- tinue its geographic diversi? cation, both domestically and internationally. American-owned shipyards can compete globally. International shipyards and shipbuilders routine- ly span multiple countries, so why can’t American ship- yards do the same?

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