Safe Boats International has been awarded a $90 million modification to a previously awarded contract for the design, construction, outfitting, reactivation, and training for six Mk VI patrol boats with an option for two additional vessels.
The contract will provide Mk VI patrol boats to Ukraine via a U.S. State Department-approved agreement.
Work will be performed in Washington state and Safe Boats expects to increase its workforce by up to 75, primarily at its Tacoma, Wash., facility. Final delivery on the contract is slated for March 2025, or March 2026 if the option is exercised.
“This award is the culmination of hard work and collaboration by the Safe Boats team, our supply chain partners, and the U.S. government,” Richard Schwarz, CEO of Safe Boats International, said in a statement announcing the contract. “We are excited to be part of this important program and to have the opportunity to expand our workforce; no small feat in our current economy.”
Propelled by HamiltonJet waterjets and twin, 2,600-hp, MTU 16V 2000 series diesel engines, the 85' Mk VI has a range of 600-plus nautical miles, a cruising speed of over 25 knots with a sprint speed of 35-plus knots, and a draft of 4.5', making it ideal for littoral operations, shipyard officials said.
