December 10, 2014

RIBCRAFT Wins Five-Year Contract to Supply US Navy

MARBLEHEAD, MA. -- December 10, 2014 - The U.S. Navy has awarded RIBCRAFT USA, LLC, a five-year contract to provide 7-meter rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that will serve as deployable ready service lifeboats for search and rescue missions onboard US Naval ships around the world.

The contract is for RIBCRAFT 7-meter RIBS which the company has produced for the Navy as well as other government agencies and commercial users for several years. Sixteen vessels have already been ordered under the contract's initial release. The first scheduled delivery will be in March 2015.

Terrorist attacks both domestically and around the world including the bombing of the USS COLE in 2000 forced additional requirements for RIBS. These multi-purpose boats now serve in a variety of missions including anti-terrorism platforms, protection, interdiction, search & seizure, safety / escort, tow and recovery.

"This award further validates RIBCRAFT's position as a premier supplier of exceptionally well designed and built boats. The Navy had many vendor options but in the end, they relied on the best boats that will serve in the most challenging environments and conditions," said Brian Gray, founder and President of RIBCRAFT. "We've worked very hard and invested in this market. Winning this five year contract is a testament to our capabilities combined with our proven boats" continued Gray.

Among the varied requirements for these shipboard RIBs is that each must be carried onboard and deployed from multiple U.S. Navy ship classes. As such, the boats will be compatible with a variety of existing shipboard handling and stowage systems.

At 24', these boats will sport a 254 horsepower inboard Steyr diesel engine with a Bravo 2 sterndrive. All vessels will be delivered with a Briartek man overboard indicator system as well as a forward M60/M240 machine gun foundation.

In addition to the five year contract for the 7- meter RIBs, RIBCRAFT is also currently producing several 5.7-meter shipboard RIBs for the Navy under a sub-contractor agreement.

About RIBCRAFT
RIBCRAFT designs and builds safe, durable, performance oriented rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and inflatables that fulfill the most demanding military, professional and recreational applications. A leading manufacturer of professional grade RIBs and inflatables for military agencies safety professionals, yacht clubs, and recreational boaters throughout the world, RIBCRAFT offers vessels starting at 14' capable of fulfilling most any mission. The company is privately held. www.ribcraftusa.com

Contact: Kelly Gorman
781.639.9065
kgorman@ribcraftusa.com