MN100: Metal Shark Boats
The Company:
Metal Shark is a leading shipbuilder specializing in the design and production of boats and ships for military, law enforcement, fire rescue, and a wide spectrum of commercial applications. At its facilities in Franklin and Jeanerette, Louisiana, Metal Shark manufactures vessels in aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. In addition to the diverse lineup of models designed by its in-house team of naval architects, Metal Shark has partnered with Damen Shipyards to offer the proven and globally supported range of Damen vessels up to 80 meters. These are produced at its Franklin, Louisiana shipyard where they are easily launched into the Gulf of Mexico. Metal Shark also works with leading naval architectural firms to offer passenger ferries and other specialized vessels. The Metal Shark story is one of careful, calculated growth driven by continual reinvestment in the company’s people, facilities, and technology. Today, Metal Shark fields a workforce of over 250 employees spread across two facilities, with nearly 1,000 vessels in service worldwide. Each component of every Metal Shark vessel is digitally designed, router cut, and assembled to precise tolerances utilizing industry-leading technologies and construction methods.
The Product Line:
Metal Shark offers purpose-built vessels for defense and security, law enforcement, fire rescue, pilot associations and port operators, passenger ferry and excursion boat operators, and many other commercial markets. In addition supplying to boats to the U.S. Armed Forces, Metal Shark provides vessels for a growing list of state, local, and municipal law enforcement and fire rescue agencies. For example, and billed as a dual-purpose custom fireboat, Command & Control and Multiuse Port Security Boat, the Metal Shark 75 recently built for the port of South Louisiana is powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel inboards with a conventional straight shaft drive system. The 75’ Endurance can also be equipped with straight shaft inboards, water jets, or pod propulsion systems. Incorporating the latest technology to support fire rescue missions, command and control (C2) operations, and around-the-clock port security efforts, the vessel can be custom-configured to suit a wide range of mission profiles including dive support, fire rescue, port operations, law enforcement, and defense. For firefighting, twin dedicated drive engines channel up to 6,000 total gallons per minute through an oversized water main where electronic valves divert water to three RF-controlled monitors. Four additional 2.5” hydrant connections and a 400-gallon foam reservoir provide maximum flexibility across the full spectrum of firefighting needs. And, with a roomy pilothouse featuring 360-visibility, and bunking capacity for multiple crew, the 75 Endurance is ideal for multi-agency coordination. The latest version is equipped with a positive-pressure Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) ventilation system for crew protection.
The Case:
Well established as a producer of welded aluminum boats for military and law enforcement, Metal Shark has significantly expanded its capabilities with its new Franklin, Louisiana shipyard now operational. The company has expanded into several commercial markets and now offers aluminum, steel, and fiberglass vessels up to 250’. Its facilities include a 15-acre production facility in Jeanerette, Louisiana, and a 25-acre waterfront shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana.