WorkBoat caught up with Smokey Glover, our Director of East Coast Operations at the recent International WorkBoat show in New Orleans.
Willard Marine's history of manufacturing quality boats dates all the way back to 1957 as the first company to offer a line of production fiberglass trawlers. The first of these trawlers was the William Garden designed Vega 36 in 1961, followed by a wide variety of models based on 30, 36, 40, and 47-foot hulls. Although we ceased production of recreational vessels in 2003 to focus on military and patrol boat markets, our trawler yachts and sailboats are still in high demand and loved by those that own them.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from those owners and glean the story behind their trawler. Recently, we had the pleasure of being in touch with Ana Santos, a six-year owner of a Willard trawler named Nuala May. Nuala May was built in 1974 and Ana loves being a liveabaord, splitting her time between Alaska and Port Townsend, WA.
Willard Marine will be exhibiting at this years International Workboat Show. Stop by at our booth #1055 to visit us and learn more about our complete line of Search & Rescue workboats. For more details about the International Workboat show visit the link below. We look forward to seeing you there! http://www.WorkBoatShow.com/
February 18, 2012, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine Inc. announced today that the company has delivered the first of four (4) patrol Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) to a U.S. Navy project in Pascagoula, MS. The boats are being built for the Egyptian Navy. 540 inboard RIB. The boats supplied are the Willard Marine Sea Force. Willard Marine was chosen to supply this military quality RIB because of their expertise, best value and ability to build high quality, durable, military platforms that operate from larger vessels.
January 23, 2012, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine Inc. announced today that the company is currently under contract by the U.S. Navy to build an undisclosed number of the company's 7-meter aluminum hull Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for the U.S. Navy FMS. Willard Marine has been a long time supplier to the U.S. Navy of the 7 meter RIB in various configurations and the boat is a proven veteran of countless operations. This particular group of RIBs is being built with 5086 aluminum hulls in our Virginia Beach facility. They will be outfitted with Yamaha's large 440HP engine with Hamilton Waterjets transferring the power to the water. Also each craft will be fully equipped with U.S. Navy specified array of radio and electronic gear. Constructed to be launched and retrieved from the stern ramps of larger patrol craft these boats will provide extended range and enhance the capabilities of the larger patrol boats.