The Duclos Corporation

  • The Company:

    For more than 60 years, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has built steel and aluminum commercial vessels. Located on 6.5 acres on the deepwater Taunton River in Somerset, Mass., the family-owned and operated shipyard counts more than 417 vessels built as proof of its longevity and vessel reliability. A total of 38 customers own 120 Gladding-Hearn vessels. With in-house naval architecture and engineering capabilities and a cross-trained workforce, Gladding-Hearn is well-known for applying some of the most advanced shipbuilding techniques that rival many bigger yards, while still providing the personal customer service of a smaller yard. 
     
    The Case:
    Since 1955, Gladding-Hearn has been synonymous with pilot boats, having built more launches operating in the United States than any other shipyard. In 1978, the yard joined forces with designer C. Raymond Hunt to build the first launch with a deep-V hull, soon to become the industry standard. In 1977, the shipyard delivered America’s first Z-drive tractor tug. An Incat Crowther licensee since 1987, Gladding-Hearn became the second shipyard in the country to build high-speed passenger catamarans and has built the majority of East Coast and Great Lakes fast ferries. In 2014, the shipyard built the first pilot boat application of Volvo Penta’s IPS drives in the United States. Nearly 90 percent of Gladding-Hearn’s business is from repeat customers. Recent high profile deliveries include Gladding-Hearn’s second Tactical Response Vessel to the NYPD, as well as a new generation Pilot Boat for Tampa Bay Pilots. Both feature the unique C. Raymond Hunt deep-V hull.
     
    168 Walker St.
    Somerset, MA 02720
    Telephone: (508) 676-8596
    Website: www.gladding-hearn.com
    CEO/President: Peter Duclos, John Duclos
     
     
    (As published in the August 2016 MN100 edition of Marine News)
  • To start, will you please share your personal journey in the shipbuilding industry and what led you to your current role?Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding Inc. was started by Preston Gladding and Richard Hearn in mid-1955. My father, George Duclos, joined them as a minority partner in late 1955, and for $900

  • Marine News showcases the best of North America’s 2017 workboat deliveries. There is something for everyone.   Notwithstanding the lingering offshore energy downturn, there were plenty of bright spots for North American shipyards in 2017. If a hull was delivered in 2017, we took a look at it, with several

  • The proliferation of sleek, unique and fast ferries on U.S. waterways is slowly becoming the reality that has been much discussed for decades. While the country does not have an inate "ferry mentality" that is so prevalent in the European culture, in part due to the vastly different geographic

  • Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has delivered two new fast ferries to the Government of Bermuda, Ministry of Transport. The first vessel was delivered in March; a sister ship arrived in Bermuda in June. The ferries provide commuter and excursion service between Bermuda's capital

  • Fort Ripley, a new offshore emergency response craft entering service in Charleston, S.C., is reported to be the first commercial vessel in North America to be powered by triple Volvo Penta IPS drives. Designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, and

  • Gladding-Hearn shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation delivered a second 70-ft. tactical response vessel to New York City’s Harbor Patrol Unit. The two sister-boats  were part of a five-boat order from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Measuring 68.8 ft. on deck, with a 19-ft. beam and 3.8-ft. draft

  • Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation has delivered a new pilot boat, Cape Fear Pilot II, to the Wilmington-Cape Fear Pilots Association. The new launch, which shuttles pilots nine miles from Southport, N.C. to ships entering the Cape Fear River en route to the port of Wilmington

  • Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation, Somerset, Mass., has begun construction of a harbor survey vessel for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. The shipyard is building the relatively compact 55-foot-long by 16- foot-beam, all-aluminum vessel for year-round use

  • Sixth Vessel Of Popular Design Sold By Yard Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation, Somerset, Mass., recently signed a contract with Put-In-Bay Transportation Co. of Ohio, for the construction of a high-speed passenger ferry based on Australian designer Philip Her- cus's Internatio

  • of the TNT Express is 220 passengers, which expands to a total of 265 wben outdoor seating is utilized. Built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation, TNT Express I was designed by Philip Hercus of International Catamarans Pty., Ltd. of Sydney, Australia. It is powered by two 12- cylinder

  • waterlubricated bearing was first installed in Gladding-Hearn boats and its other custom vessels. To date, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, The Duclos Corporation, reports not a single problem with the bearing's performance or availability. The solution resulted from the search for lower-cost, readily

  • MN Jan-25#42  and 
equipment to support the construction and O&M phases)
    January 2025 - Marine News page: 42

    Vessels Gladding-Hearn Delivers First Crew Transfer Vessel operate year-round, transporting 24 offshore workers and equipment to support the construction and O&M phases of USEC offshore wind projects. The resiliently-mounted superstructure is located aft of midship with port and star- board side decks

  • MN Nov-24#12  as quickly as we would like. The  tools for new employees)
    November 2024 - Marine News page: 12

    Insights to grow our workforce as quickly as we would like. The tools for new employees. Seeing the ? nished product before learning curve for custom boat building is steep, so we con- you have to create it from scratch is a great way to learn. tinue to develop in-house training for our newer workers.

  • MN Nov-24#10  your personal  Since 2000, the business has largely been)
    November 2024 - Marine News page: 10

    Peter QQQQQQQQQAAA & Duclos Co-president, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation To start, will you please share your personal Since 2000, the business has largely been run by John, journey in the shipbuilding industry and what Carol and me, and in 2010, the assets were of? cially trans- led

  • MN Nov-24#2  11
Contents
Features
26
26  The Digital Revolution
 How)
    November 2024 - Marine News page: 2

    Marine News November 2024 • Volume 35 Number 11 Contents Features 26 26 The Digital Revolution How technology is making commercial vessels safer, cleaner and more ef? cient. By Rhonda Moniz 30 Eureka Naval Craft Adapting high-speed AIRCAT surface effect ships 30 for military missions. By Edward

  • MN Feb-24#40  October 2023, 
clearing way for the builds to be completed)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 40

    Warhorse & HOS Wild Horse shipyard construction contracts were wrongfully termi- nated. Gulf Island and Hornbeck settled in October 2023, clearing way for the builds to be completed by another yard. Eastern secured the contract to complete the builds from Zurich American Insurance Company, the issuer of

  • MN Apr-23#42 .
Designed by Ray Hunt Design, the all-aluminum launch 
measures)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 42

    Vessels New Launch for St Johns Bar Pilots Gladding-Hearn pilot boat since 1962. Designed by Ray Hunt Design, the all-aluminum launch measures 35 feet overall. It has a 13-foot beam, including the foam collar, and a 3-foot draft. The deep-V hull features a steep 24-degree dead-rise at the transom that

  • MN Feb-23#42  Ltd. ordered by Bay Houston. The design team 
and the client)
    February 2023 - Marine News page: 42

    Vessels Hayden Grace ert Allan Ltd. ordered by Bay Houston. The design team and the client worked to address operational challenges the vessel would face. Main features of this latest RApport de- sign include compact size and shallow draft allowing it to operate in more con? ned waterways than previous

  • MR Aug-22#33  in its backlog, includ-
ing the last of the Flight IIA)
    August 2022 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 33

    Rabinowitz said her yard has 10 ships in its backlog, includ- ing the last of the Flight IIA ships and the newer Flight III variants. “Currently, seven ships are under construction. DDG 122 John Basilone was translated and christened in June, and all backlog ships have been funded by Congress. • Flight

  • MN Nov-21#68  CTV
and design of the vessel would occur during)
    November 2021 - Marine News page: 68

    Vessels Hybrid-electric CTV and design of the vessel would occur during 2022-2023, set- ting the stage for building and launching the hybrid CTV in the mid-2020s, timing that would ? t well with the start of operation of wind turbines by May? ower Wind. Incat Crowther is the designer of the vessel

  • MN Nov-21#53  2021
Gladding-Hearn
SUSQUEHANNA
THE LATEST AND GREATEST FROM)
    November 2021 - Marine News page: 53

    TOP BOATS 2021 Gladding-Hearn SUSQUEHANNA THE LATEST AND GREATEST FROM A PILOT BOAT CLASS THAT’S TRIED AND TRUE A winning recipe from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, all, with a 16.8-foot beam and a 4.8-foot draft. Powered Duclos Corporation, has made the Chesapeake class one by twin Volvo Penta D16

  • MN Oct-21#24  pier space 
delivery in 2023, the dredge will feature two)
    October 2021 - Marine News page: 24

    system); four tower dredge for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock. Scheduled for cranes; rail access and over 8,000 ft of deepwater pier space delivery in 2023, the dredge will feature two 800mm suc- and a ? oating dry dock for smaller vessels. tion pipes and will be able to dredge at depths of up to 100 Of course

  • MR Aug-21#47 SHIPBUILDING THE DIRECTORY
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding)
    August 2021 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 47

    SHIPBUILDING THE DIRECTORY Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation United States Marine, Inc. For more than 65 years, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has Headquartered in Gulfport, Miss., with a maintenance/re- built steel and aluminum pilot boats (95), Incat Crowther pair facility in Chesapeake, Va.

  • MN Jun-21#39  delivered a new ?  reboat to the  With a roof monitor, a)
    June 2021 - Marine News page: 39

    Vessels Marine 1 Moose Boats Moose Boats has delivered a new ? reboat to the With a roof monitor, a cockpit monitor, a 5” large di- Rochester, N.Y. Fire Department. The M2-38, dubbed ameter hose Storz discharge, and the ability to pump Marine 1, is the ? rst Moose in the Great Lakes, and it over 1

  • MN Nov-20#66  by ECO as an integral part of the operation and main-
tenance)
    November 2020 - Marine News page: 66

    VESSELS ECO to Build and Operate First Jones Act SOV and Louisiana, will be engineered, constructed and operat- ed by ECO as an integral part of the operation and main- tenance of the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind offshore wind farms in the northeast U.S., which are dependent on

  • MN Feb-20#47 , will be installed at the transom. 
The engines will)
    February 2020 - Marine News page: 47

    at 1,900 rpm with a top speed of 29 knots. A Humphree interceptor trim-tab control system, with its Au- tomatic Trim Optimization, will be installed at the transom. The engines will turn ? ve-blade Bruntons NiBrAl pro- pellers via ZF400A gear boxes. The launch will be equipped with a 6kW Northern Lights

  • MN Dec-19#43  of requirements for the tug and a clear vision)
    December 2019 - Marine News page: 43

    GREAT WORKBOATS ment of requirements for the tug and a clear vision of the FERRIES: desired layout and accordingly the design was developed in GLADDING-HEARN DELIVERS close collaboration with Island Tug. Partway through con- ANOTHER HIGH-SPEED FERRY struction, Island Tug was acquired by Vancouver

  • MR Oct-19#61  creep up into 
things like The Poseidon Prin-
ciples,)
    October 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 61

    OVER 60 YEARS OF “You are beginning to see that CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE (technology) creep up into things like The Poseidon Prin- ciples, which essentially brings the shipping technology and ? nance worlds together as you look at the next generation of vessels and the banks start benchmarking the con- ditio

  • MN Sep-19#50  with integrated dive ladder, the 
19’ RIB provides a comfortable)
    September 2019 - Marine News page: 50

    VESSELS Lowell Police Takes Delivery of New RIBCRAFT top T-top, antenna arch with integrated dive ladder, the 19’ RIB provides a comfortable platform for long patrols while offering an open deck and easy access to the water for diving and rescue. Powered by a 115HP Yamaha, this 5.85 will reach speeds in

  • MR Feb-19#45 W
WORKBOATS: TUG & BARGE
ered the M/V Mark E. Kuebler, a)
    February 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 45

    W WORKBOATS: TUG & BARGE ered the M/V Mark E. Kuebler, a Z-Tech 30-80 Termi- Jensen’s Design for Shaver Tugboat Overhaul for Bouchard Barge nal/Escort Tug to Bay Houston Towing Company. The M/V Mark E. Kuebler was designed by Robert Allan and built at Gulf Island’s, Jennings, LA facilities. The vessel

  • MN Feb-19#50 , Ore., and is operating along the West Coast. The tug 
is)
    February 2019 - Marine News page: 50

    VESSELS Jensen’s Design for Shaver Transportation’s New Tugboat purpose tug was built at Diversifed Marine Inc., in Port- land, Ore., and is operating along the West Coast. The tug is ABS-classed and carries a FFV1 frefghting notation. The 112-foot by 44-foot tug has a 22-foot draft, was built for escort,

  • MN Jan-19#51  at Gulf Island Shipyards. The ship will be the ?  rst)
    January 2019 - Marine News page: 51

    VESSELS Construction on OSU Research Ship Starts Louisiana at Gulf Island Shipyards. The ship will be the ? rst in a class of Regional Class Research Vessels funded by the National Science Foundation. The vessel is scheduled for delivery to Oregon State in the spring of 2021, and will be fully operationa

  • MR Aug-18#38 THE SHIPYARD ANNUAL
2018 Deliveries
abundant and readily)
    August 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 38

    THE SHIPYARD ANNUAL 2018 Deliveries abundant and readily visible across the nered with Bristol Community College, • The Alabama Pilot, Inc. in Mobile, Ala., received a new Chesapeake Class pilot facility, with new piers, cranes, forklifts, who co-wrote the grant and provide the boat from Gladding-Hearn

  • MR Apr-18#43 1. World’s Largest Cruise Ship  The contract was signed between)
    April 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 43

    1. World’s Largest Cruise Ship The contract was signed between MISC Offshore Floating Ter- With much of the talk in the cruise sector turning to the fast minals (L) Limited (MOFT) and COTL in August 2016. The growing ‘luxury adventure’ sector, it is refreshing to see ‘big- FSO will be deployed for a full

  • MN Dec-17#48  BARGE     
recently delivered the CNP its ? rst new 33-foot)
    December 2017 - Marine News page: 48

    VESSELS sive standardization process earlier this year, Metal Shark DOUBLE HULL ASPHALT BARGE recently delivered the CNP its ? rst new 33-foot Relentless- DELIVERED TO VANE BROTHERS class patrol boat. Special features of this welded aluminum Bristol Harbor Group (BHGI) announced in 2017 that center