Page 66: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2017)

In order to fully optimize the hull and propose a more mature design, Metal

Shark built a PBX running prototype hull, designated PB(X)-P1, which was extensively tested in a wide range of

SHIPBUILDING operating conditions.

PB(X) Metal Shark Scores Navy Deal

Metal Shark

Metal Shark won the contract to produce the U.S. trailers, spares and training packages, as well as tech- The PB(X) features ballistic protection and can be

Navy’s next-generation patrol boat, the PB(X), the nical support. The winning PB(X) design is a 40-ft., armed with a range of crew-served and remotely op- replacement for the ? eet of force protection boats welded-aluminum pilothouse patrol boat designed erated weapons systems. currently in use with Navy Expeditionary Combad by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team. The The PB(X) will be built at Metal Shark’s Jeaner-

Command’s Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). Subject PB(X) is powered by twin diesel inboards and water ette, Louisiana production facility, which specializes to annual appropriations, the Navy intends to replace jets. Metal Shark designed a moderate aft deadrise, in the rapid, serialized assembly of military patrol approximately 100 to 160 of its existing 25-ft. and wide-waterplane, sharp-entry hull form that not only boats. 34-ft. CRF patrol boats with the larger and more achieves 35+ knot sprint speeds while displaying su- Other signi? cant military ? eet builds currently un- modern PB(X) platform over the next 15 years. perb dynamic stability in a range of conditions, but derway at the facility include ongoing production

The Navy has placed an initial, immediate order for also offers enhanced handling and greatly reduced of the Navy’s 32’ Force Protection Boat – Medium 11 of the new vessels. Under the terms of the award, operating cost at the 10-15 knot escort and cruise (FPB-M) and 26’ High Speed Maneuverable Surface potentially worth over $90 million, Metal Shark will speeds where the vessel will spend the bulk of its op- Target (HSMST), and the U.S. Coast Guard’s 29’ Re- build up to 50 PB(X) vessels for the Navy, along with erational life. sponse Boat – Small (RBS).

MV Werften Delivers River Cruise Ship

Just a few weeks after delivery of the Crys- Azimuth thrusters for optimum maneuver- tal Bach, shipbuilder MV Werften delivered ability.

Crystal Mahler, the second of four Rhine The design of the luxury ship was intend-

Class ships for client Crystal River Cruises. ing to resemble that of private yachts. The

After the ceremonial change of ? ags, the ship interior of the Crystal Mahler boasts light and was christened at the out? tting quay of MV airy public areas with ? oor-to-ceiling glass

WERFTEN in Wismar. walls as well as spacious suites with horizon-

Like its sister vessel, the 135 x 11.4-meter tal sliding windows. Other onboard facilities wide river cruise ship was speci? cally de- include three gourmet restaurants, a spacious signed for exploring Europe’s rivers. It com- spa and ? tness area and a swimming pool plies with the highest safety and navigation with a glass roof.

standards, including a permanently staffed, The ship carries 110 guests in 55 all-balco- state-of-the-art navigation system as well as ny suites along with a crew of 68.

Lauren Bar? eld, godmother of the Crystal Mahler, releases the bottle of champagne

MV Werften 66 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • OCTOBER 2017

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