Page 23: of Marine News Magazine (August 2020)

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Master Marine, Inc. RIBCRAFT of demanding military customers, having won several his- the impact on the maritime world will be seismic in scale, torically large government contracts. Allard said. “I am thrilled by the small role we’ve been able

In addition to military and patrol boats, Metal Shark to play in the journey so far, and I am really excited about builds a wide range of ? re and rescue craft, pilot boats, pas- new projects in that space.” senger vessels, utility/workboats and, more recently, inland towboats. Metal Shark acquired the assets of Alabama- based Horizon Shipbuilding in 2018 and delivered its ? rst

RIBCRAFT USA, LLC towboat from the new shipyard earlier this year.

Metal Shark typically delivers more than 150 vessels Built to order in the U.S., RIBCRAFT manufactures pro- each year to the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army, fessional grade rigid in? atable boats (RIBs) from 15-41’ for and the militaries of partner nations worldwide, as part of commercial and government markets, from military agen- more than 200 vessels delivered annually on average. Al- cies and state and local governments to safety professionals, lard says Metal Shark is on pace to deliver about the same private industry and nonpro? ts. Every boat is built to indus- number of vessels in 2020 as it did last year, but with a try recognized standards featuring RIBCRAFT’s trademark marked increase in value. “The average size and cost of our deep V commercial grade ? berglass hull, full length lifting deliveries continues to trend higher as the boats grow in strakes, pronounced bow sheer, and a heavy duty multi- size and complexity,” he said. chambered tube. With more than 25 years’ experience and “I am particularly proud of our growing success in the thousands of deliveries worldwide, RIBCRAFT has devel- ? reboat market, as we build higher quantities of larger oped a diversi? ed client base and reputation as one of the and more complex vessels than ever before,” Allard said. most reliable and recognized brands in the RIB market.

“These are challenging, technical, complex builds and our RIBCRAFT has ongoing deliveries to ? rst responders team has grown quite adept at tackling the challenges of and safety professionals throughout the country including each new build head-on.” rescue RIBs, dive boats, and patrol and enforcement craft.

Metal Shark is also making strides into the world of au- Having recently completed a ? ve-year contract providing tonomous vessels. In 2019 it partnered with Sea Machines the U.S. Navy with 7-meter RIBs, RIBCRAFT was awarded to introduce a 29-foot autonomous vessel being offered another ? ve-year inde? nite quantity contract worth up to through Metal Shark’s new Sharktech autonomous division. $43 million to build up to 48 11-Meter Expeditionary Mine “I am captivated by how the evolution of this technol- Counter Measure Boats for the U.S. Navy. Earlier this year it ogy will completely change the maritime sector. I think handed over two specialized 5.85 patrol boats to the Califor- www.marinelink.com MN 23