USN Licenses Boat Design from Willard Marine

The United States Navy and Willard Marine have executed a licensing agreement for a Willard Marine boat design to serve as the guideline for the Navy’s new 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) government design.

For 27 years, Willard Marine has designed and built U.S. Navy ship-board RIBs that are 7- and 11-meters in length featuring a wide variety of propulsion, deck and outfitting arrangements. This licensing agreement allows the U.S. Navy to utilize Willard’s Sea Force® 1100, U.S. Navy model RIB design to create an all new Navy 11-meter RIB.  The new RIBs will be used in their American fleets around the world, and it enables select international militaries to purchase the vessels through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs.  The Navy pursued the licensing agreement with Willard Marine in an effort to maximize commonality between the old and new 11m RIB platforms, minimize time and money spent on boat operations training, maintenance, repair and service.

Through the U.S. Navy FMS program, Willard Marine has also provided SEA FORCE® 1100 RIBs to foreign militaries such as Lebanon, Mexico and the Ukraine.

“We are honored that the largest and most prestigious Navy on the globe has chosen a Willard Marine design to serve as their guideline for the new 11-meter RIB design,” said Ulrich Gottschling, President and CEO of Willard Marine.  “The U.S. Navy and our allies who leverage the FMS program to procure this boat are assured of a proven, seaworthy design” added Gottschling.

Since its founding in 1957, Willard Marine has developed world-class watercraft for the U.S. military, Department of Homeland Security, foreign governments, law enforcement agencies, search and rescue organizations and private companies. Willard Marine is also the exclusive builder of commercial vessels originally designed by SeaArk Marine and Crystaliner. Based in California with facilities in Maryland and Virginia, Willard Marine is ISO 9001:2008 certified and the sole American manufacturer of SOLAS rescue boats.