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| Approved profile of Gladding-Hearn U.S. Navy Boat |
(SOMERSET, MASS.— July 16, 2008) –After 53 years of building only commercial vessels, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, is nearing completion of its first high-speed patrol boat for the U.S. Government. The 64-foot vessel is the first of 12 new boats ordered by the Navy.
The all-aluminum boat features a C. Raymond-Hunt-designed deep-V hull, with a CPI Marine fender system, powered by twin MTU diesel engines, connected to joystick-controlled Hamilton water-jets. The pilothouse on a flush deck, with forward-leaning front windows, leads to the forecastle, equipped with a head, galley, berths, and lockers. Recessed rescue platforms are located port and starboard at the vessel’s mid-ship. On the foredeck will be a gun mount.
The interior is outfitted with Shockwave heavy-duty suspension seats, shock-absorbing floor matting, and a heating and air-conditioning system. Equipment includes: integrated navigation systems, crew communication’s and radio systems and thermal-imaging system.
