Metal Shark Awarded 100-Boat USCG Contract

Jeanerette, LA – December, 2006: Metal Shark was recently awarded a contract to build 100 Aids to Navigation craft for the U.S. Coast Guard. The contract was awarded by the USCG Office of Boat Forces, which will identify the boats as the Trailerable Aids to Navigation Boat (TANB). The vessels are multi-mission capable assets, but have been developed specifically for the purpose of buoy, lighthouse, and other waterway navigation projects.

The TANB is a 27-ft. fully welded aluminum center console based on the Metal Shark 27 Courageous. The hull has been specifically designed for utility use, and is therefore extremely stable and reliable in any sea condition. It is powered by twin 150 horsepower counter-rotating Honda outboards, producing a top speed of 40 knots.

The TANB features D-shaped rubrails and welded aluminum rub strakes, which provides protection to the hull when working in close proximity to navigational aids, sea walls, and docks. The TANB is outfitted with an electric winch operated davit, two-piece dive door, towing equipment, shock mitigating seats, full cockpit canvas enclosure, and a large working t-top canopy with integrated safety rails. The large forward deck of the TANB provides more than ample working space for any mission requirement.
The USCG vessels are equipped with a Scalable Integrated Navigation System (SINS) Furuno Package, which includes GPS/radar/chart plotter functionality. Additional electronics onboard are VHF, UHF, loudhailer and AIS systems. The TANB is equipped with forward and stern-quarter weapons mounts capable of handling M240 machine guns. An additional recessed deck mount forward supports a tripod and .50 caliber machine gun.

The TANB was designed by Metal Shark and will be manufactured at its Jeanerette, Louisiana facility. This is the first USCG contract for Metal Shark.