Boatbuilding News

The Houston Ship Channel is one of the nation’s busiest and most vibrant shipping lanes, a key corridor for energy and chemicals. Keeping operations running smoothly involves the Houston Pilots, facilitating more than 20,000 vessel assists each year. Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots, discusses the organization in the round, explaining how the Houston operation remains one of three in the country that still utilizes station boat. With Maritime Reporter TV he breaks down the idiosyncrasies of the operations…

The Coast Guard (including its heritage services) have employed boats since the beginning. Boats are just as important, if not more so, than ever.America’s first “boat force” came about in 1878, with the creation of the United States Life Saving Service (USLSS), whose boat crews rescued mariners in distress along the nation’s coast line. In 1915, the USLSS merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service (established in 1790) to form the modern-day United States Coast Guard.

Shipbuilding in the United States has seen a heightened profile with increased attention from Congress and the Trump 2.0 Administration. The ongoing dialogue regarding reinvigorating the U.S. deep sea fleet has brought mainstream attention to vessel construction, which has been nearly absent in recent years. In contrast, the marketplace for domestic vessel construction, for vessels serving rivers and harbors, is alive and well. Recent newbuilds for linehaul trades, and also Z-drive vessels for ship assist work, show the resilience of this sector.

The King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division in Washington has selected Moose Boats to build a new, custom diesel electric hybrid patrol boat.The model M1 will be 46’ long and powered by two Volvo Penta D11-625HP Diesel engines integrated with in-line twin Dan Foss electric motors.The vessel build will be a close collaboration between Hamilton Jet, who has designed the electric propulsion system, Volvo Penta and Moose Boats. Current battery technologies manufactured by Corvis Battery will enable the vessel to run solely under electric propulsion for up to two hours at five knots.

Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, has delivered an M2-36 catamaran to the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol.The M2 will serve as both a law enforcement and fireboat responding throughout the Santa Barbara harbor and coastal region.The build features twin 300 HP Suzuki outboards with contra-rotating dual stainless-steel propellers.A dedicated Volvo Penta diesel engine that powers its firefighting capabilities with up to 1,500 GPM through two TFT monitors…

The Port of Barcelona's newest all-electric commuter ferry, the Ecocat Tres, has been delivered with an electric propulsion system by Molabo.Built by Metaltec Naval, the 15-meter aluminum catamaran transports 84 people and features a rooftop deck for additional seating. The vessel operates at least 12 hours per day, running every 15 to 30 minutes for a 10-minute journey between stops. The electric propulsion system, powered by two ARIES i50 Molabo motors, enables a top speed of 12 knots.

Italian waterjet systems company Castoldi has announced recent successful sea trials for two patrol vessels equipped with dual installations of the latest Castoldi Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets.One newbuidings has been built for the Italian Coastguard, the other for fisheries patrol duties in the North Sea, Germany.The new 16-meter patrol vessel for the Italian Coastguard recently exceeded its design brief in an early sea trial, said Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi. “This new generation…

Even though there is still a substantial amount of wooden yacht construction and restoration out there, wooden hull construction has pretty much gone the way of the mastodonts.To find a new commercial wooden vessel project would be quite a challenge. Except if you happen to know Scarano Boatworks. Scarano Boats was founded by brothers John and Rick Scarano in 1986. They are located in an old waterfront fertilizer factory in Albany, New York and, too quietly, have built a variety of boats that boggles the mind. Their portfolio defies description.

All American Marine (AAM) has been contracted to design and build a 108’ x 32.5’ hybrid passenger vessel for Harbor Breeze Cruises that will operate in and around the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex.The vessel will be designed with twin MAN D2862 EPA Tier 4 engines, supplied by Northern Lights, and including an SCR system and a diesel particulate filter. The engines will drive fixed-pitch propellers via a remote-mounted Reinjtes gearbox provided by Karl Senner Inc.This system will also be fitted with a parallel hybrid battery propulsion system supplied by ABB.

BRIX Marine has launched a 12.5-meter RHIB, Olohana, designed and built for Hawaii Nautical, one of Hawaii’s ocean experience providers.The RHIB hull design by Naiad is paired with triple Yamaha F300 outboard engines to handle a wide range of activities in diverse marine conditions.Olohana includes a first-of-its-kind boarding design. BRIX and Naiad worked together to create a “swim club” side door in the collar system. These doors have an aluminum structure that hinges on the bottom, dropping to extend the side decks outboard.

Brig USA and Fluid Marine announced today that Carl Herndon was recently named company President.Herndon will lead Brig USA’s recreational Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) division as well as Fluid Marine’s Patrol, Search and Rescue (SAR) and Swift Water Rescue (SWR) boat sales and production.Herndon joins Brig and Fluid as the company expands its market reach, providing Brig recreational RHIBs via nationwide dealers and Fluid patrol boats to state, local and federal agencies…

The 2025 TU Delft Hydro Motion Team, a team of 25 adult students, has designed a hydrofoiling boat that will be powered by liquified hydrogen.Their project builds on the work of previous students at the Dutch university in a program dating back to 2005.The first TU Delft design was solar powered; it was changed to compressed hydrogen in 2021.The 2024 team focused on applying hydrogen fuel to a seaworthy vessel and made history as the first hydrogen-powered boat to cross the North Sea.The 2025 team’s boat will be entered in the Monaco Sea Lab 2025.

The battery-electric hydrofoiling boat VS-9 has officially joined the fleet of Fullers360, New Zealand’s largest ferry operator.Designed and built by Vessev, the vessel is nine meters long, can transport passengers at a service speed of 25 knots and has a range of up to 50 nautical miles (57 miles / 92 kilometers).Throughout sea trials, the VS-9 exceeded performance expectations in waves of up to one meter. The propulsion system uses approximately 55kW while cruising at 25 knots – the equivalent of just over 70HP.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for design and development proposals for its electric patrol craft.In addition to meeting MPA’s operational requirements, the designs must include safety features such as advanced battery management systems, secure battery compartments to maintain fire, gastight, and watertight integrity, and intelligent cooling systems for optimal thermal management. Proposals must also include efficient…

The Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) operates ashore, at sea and in the waters of harbors, rivers, bays and across the littorals to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by providing port and harbor security and high-value asset security inland, on coastal waterways, and ashore.According to Lt. Cmdr. Kara Handley, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command spokesperson, the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Force currently operates 34-foot and 40-foot patrol boats…

Glasgow boatbuilder Ultimate Boats has delivered a recyclable patrol boat to fellow Scottish organisation Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.The bespoke vessel is 11 meters in length with a 3.1 meter beam. It features six permanent shock mitigation seats and two fold-down shock mitigation crew seats. Powered by two 350 HP Suzuki outboard engines, it has a 2,050kg payload, 1,000 litre fuel capacity and range of 400 miles.The vessel is built from Ultimate Boat’s patented Danu recyclable boat building material including its hull…

Bramble Energy has launched the world’s first hydrogen-electric boat powered by a printed circuit board fuel cell (PCBFC™).As the lead partner in the HyTime project working alongside custom engine builder Barrus, Bramble Energy has created a demonstration vessel that it says showcases the vast potential of its PCBFC™ technology to quickly and cost-effectively decarbonise the marine sector.A 57ft narrowboat was launched in Sheffield, UK, where it has successfully completed testing.

New Zealand-based HamiltonJet has launched its HJ215 waterjet, an ideal propulsion solution for a wide range of boats, says the company.It is compact and lightweight and it is built for greater efficiency at high speeds, making it an excellent waterjet for thrill-seeking tourist crafts, search and rescue vessels and other marine sectors.The new factory-made TURBO II impeller option offers superior performance where acceleration and high thrust in aerated water are important. The…

Southern Ports’ new pilot boat Wardan has arrived in Bunbury, Western Australia, for local testing and trials ahead of an official naming ceremony to be held early next year.The boat, built by Hart Marine, combines top-tier technology, safety and comfort in a lightweight structure that renders the vessel resistant to corrosion, guaranteeing longevity and resilience in the harshest of marine conditions.Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks acknowledged the exciting milestone for the Port of Bunbury’s fleet.

Dongara Marine has been awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to build the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's new large patrol vessel.The 24-meter fisheries patrol vessel will be built to a design from WA naval architecture firm Southerly Designs.The government is investing $13.7 million into the project to replace the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's ageing PV Walcott.The new patrol vessel will have a longer fuel range to conduct extended voyages…

ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Hydrogen Industry Association (KHIA) and the University of Ulsan, Foundation for Industry Cooperation to develop a small, 40-seat vessel for tourism, equipped with electric propulsion using a 350kW hydrogen fuel cell.The zero-emission vessel qualifies as one of the research, development and demonstration projects associated with Korea’s national hydrogen strategy.Ock Taeck Lim, Professor at the University of Ulsan,…

Thai shipbuilder Seacrest Marine has delivered an Incat Crowther-designed patrol boat to Thailand’s Customs Department.Launched in April 2023, the 20-meter monohull patrol vessel, Customs Boat 523, is now patrolling the oceans off the coast of Thailand. The vessel can operate at speeds of up to 35 knots with a cruising range of up to 300 nautical miles.Designed for maximum performance and efficiency, Customs Boat 523 boasts an efficient hull paired with twin-propeller propulsion, Incat Crowther said.

Metal Shark delivered a welded-aluminum 45 Defiant crew boat to Anchorage Launch Services Company, an Oregon-based operator providing launch, line, pilotage, and cargo services to vessels on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.Designed in-house by the Metal Shark engineering team and built at the company’s Jeanerette, La., production facility, the 47 x 12 ft. twin-diesel waterjet-powered “Triumph VII” is now in service.“Our captains, crew, and passengers have all been very impressed with the capabilities of our new vessel,” said Alex Scott, COO of Anchorage Launch.