US Watercraft, Hubert, N.C., has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with SeaArk Marine to utilize the complete portfolio of SeaArk’s commercial firefighting, military, survey, and workboat designs.
US Watercraft builds aluminum and steel vessels and is located on the Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina.
“The SeaArk Marine models will be the marquee products for US Watercraft,” Randy Borges, managing director of US Watercraft, said in a statement announcing the agreement. “We are excited to offer newbuilds of the highly respected and proven designs, as well as providing service to the many dedicated SeaArk Marine customers.”
The SeaArk Marine brand has a storied history. From its beginnings as the MonArk Boat Company in 1959, the company developed over the years into separate commercial and recreational lines. The popular recreational brand SeaArk Boats remains a separate entity while SeaArk Marine designs will be sold exclusively under the US Watercraft brand.
“US Watercraft will be able to combine all the performance and durability of SeaArk Marine’s tremendous history with the most up-to-date technology and freshest techniques,” said former SeaArk Marine CEO John McClendon, “and the McClendon family will be thrilled to see these boats now built by US Watercraft back working on the water.”
SeaArk Marine is best known for its Dauntless and Commander series of aluminum fire and patrol vessels, both featuring the deep-v hull form developed by naval architecture firm Ray Hunt Design. Additional excursion, cargo, and shallow-draft workboat models are also included in the agreement. The Hunt design office will consult with US Watercraft on engineering and design for all next-generation SeaArk Marine models.
US Watercraft specializes in the manufacture of aluminum, steel, and composite work boats for a wide range of government and commercial clients. US Watercraft operates out of a 65-acre facility on the ICW with water access and a 75-ton Marine Travelift boat hoist.
