Navy Boat
The new 85-foot Mark VI Patrol Boat will expand the reach of U.S. Navy inshore craft. (SAFE Boats International)

Bremerton shipbuilder lands big Navy contract

BY Kim Shepard  on May 26, 2012 @ 1:38 pm (Updated: 3:21 pm - 5/26/12 )

A $35 million Navy contract will keep a Bremerton boat builder busy for the next three years, according to DefenseNews.com.

SAFE Boats International has been asked to build five 85 foot long aluminum patrol boats. Because they will be too big to carry over land, the company is expanding to a shipyard in Tacoma.

The Mark VI will have a waterline length of 78 feet. It will be powered by twin diesels and water jets able to burn both marine grade diesel and JP-5 fuel.

The boat is expected to be able to hit speeds of 41 knots (nautical miles per hour). That's almost 60 miles per hour.

The design calls for berthing and galley facilities to allow for extended missions, and a main cabin that can be reconfigured to accommodate remotely operated vehicles, a medical triage area, or more seating.

SAFE Boats expects to hire about 50 people to do the work.

The Navy eventually plans to buy 48 of the Mark VI Patrol Boats.

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Sweet...
    May 26, 2012 3:09 pm
    I want one.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MFCEO wrote...
    Nice
    May 26, 2012 3:25 pm
    I work pretty close to them, been by there place a few times. all their boats look pretty rad.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mihalyim wrote...
    military spending
    May 26, 2012 5:26 pm
    Sorry we just canceled the contract because of everyone wanting to cut the defense departments budget so those 50 people will not be hired and the company is laying off another 25.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    *LOL HPD 50-0
    May 26, 2012 7:43 pm
    My thoughts exactly.. cool looking boat... I want one too... tell you what.. you buy the boat.. I'll find the moorage..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Problem is we couldn't afford the fuel to run it.
    May 27, 2012 8:15 am
    ....But then if you can afford a boat like that...it's just gas. ;-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kiddenme wrote...
    Nice to see local jobs...
    May 27, 2012 8:42 am
    but why do we need this... don't we have the largest military in the world already... nevermind. Nice to see we didn't outsource to france this time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • slaggg wrote...
    41 knots is 45 MPH, not 60 MPH
    May 27, 2012 8:57 am
    1 knot is 1.1 MPH. I mean seriously.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Kdat wrote...
    41 knots
    May 27, 2012 9:04 am
    is more like "almost" 50 mph (47 mph).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    @cdbtx wrote...
    May 28, 2012 9:14 am
    Umm, you really did buy the boat, with your tax money...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }