January 23, 2012, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine Inc. announced today that the company is the leading supplier of United States Coast Guard /SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) approved rescue boats. The Willard Marine Inc. SEAFORCE 670 was the first R.I.B. (Rigid Inflatable Boat) built by a U.S. Manufacturer to be SOLAS approved. SEAFORCE 670 R.I.B.s are designed to act as a fast reaction rescue and boarding boat that may be launched from a larger ship or drilling platform while encountering critical sea conditions. Currently used on U.S. flag vessels that include MSC, NOAA, and throughout the Off-shore industry.
May 18, 2010, Virginia Beach, VA: Willard Marine Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new facility located in the Oceana South Industrial Park near the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The event was well attended by representatives from local, state and federal agencies, as well as current customers from the local region. The festivities began with Virginia Beach’s Economic Development Director Warren Harris joining George Angle, Owner of Willard Marine and Jojo Nery, President of Willard Marine in the traditional ribbon cutting to signal the opening of the new facility. In the ensuing program, Warren Harris addressed the gathering with a formal welcome to Willard Marine and the new employees to the Virginia Beach community. Willard Marine President, JoJo Nery, further commented “Willard Marine’s commitment is to the service and support of its East Coast customers and with the implementation of this new facility the company now has the ability to respond immediately to their needs”.
April 19, 2010, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine Inc. announced its plan for an expansion site in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The new facility is located in the Oceana South Industrial Park near the Oceana Naval Air Station and is scheduled to open in May 2010. The 13,000 square foot facility will serve as Willard’s primary East Coast manufacturing and reconditioning center. Willard Marine will manufacture and assemble its 16 to 43 foot line of aluminum and fiberglass composite specialty boats designed for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security and both Domestic and International Law Enforcement Agencies. The location will also serve as the eastern home for the Willard Technical Operation Programs (TOPS). This team of highly trained technical specialists will train; trouble shoots and assess on-site situations involving all boats worldwide.
Willard Marine Inc. announced that the Anaheim manufacturing facility has been granted ISO9001 certification. Included are the company’s design/engineering, manufacturing/assembly and testing facilities. The procedure involved both management and staff participating in intense training and the development of quality and training documents and procedures to provide continuous improvement in the company’s manufacturing processes.
Willard Marine Inc. Announces Delivery of 17-Meter Search and Rescue Boat to the U.S. Navy Office of Foreign Military Sales.
August 18, 2008, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine announced today the successful Acceptance Trials of their latest 17-Meter Search and Rescue (SAR) boat to the U.S. Navy Office of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). This craft was especially designed and custom built to meet the needs of the customer.