Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (June 2015)

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COMBAT & PATROL CRAFT

Metal Craft North River

Ribcraft

Tampa Yacht

Swiftships

Competition,

Metal Shark

Quality and Demand

Come Together

Combat, Patrol and Law Enforcement

Vessels Meet Multiple Missions with varied business plans.

By Susan Buchanan ? rms building patrol, combat and funds, grants and matching grants to pay for waterborne law enforcement craft are weath- assets. That said, sales and building for those entities hasn’t ering government budget cuts by gone away either. But, it will perhaps take a combination

U.S. strengthening ties with clients and public agencies. These of all outlets for these niche builders to make a living in unique boats remain in demand because of terrorism, the coming year(s). It helps that U.S. builders can and do crime, wars, piracy and ? re, and most serve multiple mis- build series-style programs, economically and with better sions. As maritime nations beef up their defense capabili- quality than what is typically found overseas in this sector. ties, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Com- Indeed, U.S. builders today enjoy a surplus of trade for this mercial Sales (DCS) programs help builders do business type of vessel. The wide range of (domestic) companies in- overseas. Some companies have successfully expanded sales volved in this business sector is impressive, varied in their through those channels. approaches to obtain business, but commonly united in

At home, local counties and municipalities have limited their success. How they make that happen is the real story.

June 2015

MN 36