Business

POSTED: Monday, Jul. 28, 2008

Bellingham boat maker lands military contract

BELLINGHAM - Aluminum Chambered Boats has been awarded a major contract to build boats for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Bellingham company won a $12.8 million contract to build 42 Bridge Erection Boats. The Marine Corps previously purchased 66 of these 23-foot boats in a contract that was completed last year.

Along with assisting in the construction of floating bridges, the boats have been used in disaster relief and other emergency situations, said Larry Wieber, founder and CEO of the company.

Production will begin immediately, taking about a year to complete.

"What's important for us is the contract comes at a time where there has been a slowdown industry-wide in boat production," Wieber said. "We'll be keeping our workers busy and plan to hire a few more to the production line."

The boat has gone through a series of tests to meet contract requirements, including being able to stay afloat after flooding with seawater. Wieber said the U.S. Army is interested in this type of boat design, and he expects to be bidding on a large Army contract in the near future.

"This (boat design) has turned out to be a good niche for us," Wieber said. "With all of the military certification this boat has had to go through, it makes it attractive for customers in our retail market."

ACB also has a contract with the U.S. Coast Guard and has had several inquiries for its law enforcement vessels, two of which were recently delivered to the Port of Miami.