Uniflite Receives $1,440,000 Contract For Utility Boats

Uniflite, Inc., a major fiberglass boat manufacturer headquartered in Bellingham, Wash., has been awarded a $1,440,000 contract by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command to build 16 Mark IV 50-foot fire-retardant fiberglass utility boats, according to James J. Doud, executive vice president and general manager of Uniflite.

When these new boats are delivered, starting next November, to naval installations in Seattle, Wash., San Diego, Calif., and Norfolk, Va., it will bring to 122 the total number of the 50-foot utilities which Uniflite has built for the Navy. The company is currently completing delivery to the Navy on the last of a previous 18-boat contract on the same craft, Mr. Doud said.

These utility boats are usually carried on large combat ships such as aircraft carriers and used for transport of up to 146 personnel or 25,000 pounds of cargo.

They have a 15-foot beam and are powered with a single 165-hp 6-71 Detroit Diesel engine.

Uniflite is the largest builder of fiberglass boats for the U.S.

Navy and a major manufacturer of fire-retardant fiberglass craft for both recreational and commercial use. In addition to its headquarters in Bellingham, the company has an Eastern plant at Swansboro, N.C., on the Intracoastal Waterway.

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