Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Willard Marine Awarded Patrol Boat Contract

By Mark Edward Nero

The US State Department has awarded a contract to Anaheim, California-based Willard Marine to provide the Philippine National Police Maritime Group with patrol vessels equipped to conduct search and rescue operations along Philippine maritime borders.

The contract, which was announced Sept. 3, marks the third time Willard Marine has been chosen to provide military vessels to the Philippines. Willard has also developed boats recently for international military use by the Ukrainian Navy and Nepalese Army.

“For 35 years, Willard Marine has built strong, dependable vessels for American and international military agencies around the world,” Willard Marine President Ulrich Gottschling said. “We are confident that the Philippine National Police will get tremendous use of their new Willard patrol boats for many years, and we hope to provide them with additional vessels as their mission requirements grow and evolve over time.”

Under the contract, Willard Marine will provide the Philippine National Police with 30-foot aluminum patrol boats with twin 480-HP engines and dual water jets, plus 34-foot patrol boats with 600-HP engines and dual water jets.

The cabins will feature shock-mitigating seats, heating and air conditioning. Gun posts will be positioned forward and aft, and the boats will have a foam collar made with 40oz polyurethane fabric.

The customized patrol craft for the Philippines is derived from a former SeaArk Marine boat design that Willard Marine acquired the licensing rights to last year.

Since its founding in 1957, Willard Marine has developed watercraft for the US military, Department of Homeland Security, foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, search and rescue organizations and private companies.

The company is also the exclusive builder of commercial vessels originally designed by SeaArk Marine and Crystaliner.