Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding led the market in pilot boat deliveries once again, while Metal Shark completed multiple pilot launches and has a faceted pilot boat under construction now.
The patrol boat market remains steady, bolstered by multiple projects for the U.S. Navy. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies welcomed new vessels and foreign governments turned to American shipbuilders for capable new patrol and small military vessels.
Smaller, nimbler fireboats continue to leave American shipyards for inland and coastal departments, with more vessels under construction.
FIREBOATS
Lake Assault Boats built a 28-foot vessel for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District in California. It’s the agency’s third boat from the Superior, Wis., shipyard.
The fireboat works on California’s high-altitude Big Bear Lake. As such, the new vessel has a fully-enclosed pilothouse and reinforced hull to handle ice. It’s powered by twin 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards and has a 1,500gpm Darley pump powered by a dedicated V-8 engine, along with a TFT fire monitor and three discharge ports.
Lake Assault also delivered a 28-foot firefighting and rescue craft to the Dallas FireRescue Department in Dallas County, Texas. The vessel typically operates on the 22,000-acre Lake Ray Hubbard.
Propulsion comes from two 250-hp Honda outboard motors controlled through a one-touch joystick system. The vessel also has a digital anchoring system. It draws less than 18 inches. The 1,250-gpm fire pump is driven by a dedicated GM V-6 engine.
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