Award $12-Million Contract To Uniflite For Boats Used By Navy's Special Forces

The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command awarded a contract valued at $12.6 million to Uniflite, Inc., Bellingham, Wash., fiberglass boat manufacturer, for the construction of 38 trailerable 36-foot Seafox special warfare craft, according to James J. Doud Jr., Uniflite president.

The smallest combatant craft currently being built for the Navy, Seafox has been developed for use by the Navy's SEAL (sea, air, land) teams, the naval equivalent of the Army's Green Berets. SEAL teams are experts in underwater demolition, coastal raids, landing and evacuation of commandos, and similar warfare operations.

Constructed of fiberglass, these vessels are powered by a pair of Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA diesel engines rated at 450 hp each and outfitted with extensive communications and navigation equipment.

Seafox is designed to be carried in davits on large ships or airlifted in C-130 aircraft.

Included in the contract are especially designed trailers for land transport as well as provision of spare parts and logistics support services.

Uniflite developed the prototype Seafox under a 1977 Navy contract and is currently producing eight of the craft under a contract awarded in 1980. The new order for 38 boats is a multiyear agreement to meet 1981 and 1982 Navy requirements.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 53,  Dec 1981

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.