Metal Shark – Alabama offers high-quality maintenance, repair, and conversion services to government, commercial, and recreational operators. With an easily accessible Central Gulf location fully equipped to serve as a “one stop shop,” Metal Shark provides a full range of custom-tailored services; everything from haul-outs for surveys, bottom paint, prop and shaft service, to complete overhauls, upgrades, repowers, conversions, and structural repairs for steel, aluminum, and composite vessels. More than just another shipyard, this facility is supported by Metal Shark’s vast resources and military-proven project management systems. With a 660-ton Marine Travelift, crane service, and ample vessel storage space, Metal Shark – Alabama has the capacity to handle multiple simultaneous jobs, delivering military-grade quality and on-time results for guaranteed customer satisfaction.
Metal Shark’s Alabama shipyard offers the unmatched benefits of an in-house engineering team composed of over 40 naval architects and marine engineers. Metal Shark leverages this formidable resource to create its own highly specialized and thoroughly engineered vessel designs and also to interface seamlessly with outside engineering firms to assure precision results. Metal Shark works with leading design firms to offer technologically advanced vessels that are custom-tailored to meet exacting customer requirements. Metal Shark goes above and beyond, utilizing extensive 3D modeling to allow the project to be realized in advance, greatly facilitating planning, resource allocation, and an exact interpretation of each vessel’s design for precision, quality results. Metal Shark backs up this engineering strength with the support of highly capable, industry veteran project managers who are tasked with keeping each project on time and on budget.
In late 2018, Metal Shark was awarded a contract to build three 120′ x 35′ inland towboats for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT) of Mandeville, Louisiana. The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter “M”-compliant towboats were designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc. The vessels are powered by twin Cat 3512C marine diesel engines delivering 2,011 HP each at 1,600 RPM and turning 100” x 69” stainless steel propellers through Twin Disc model MGX5600DR reverse reduction gears with a 6.56:1 ratio. Sleeping accommodations and facilities have been provided for a nine-person crew. The first vessel was completed and delivered to the client in May, 2020 (read the press release here). The contract was concluded with the delivery of the third vessel, the M/V Gianna Hull, in June 2021 (press release here).
Key Shipyard Features:
Onsite Facilities: Modern air-conditioned offices with over 4,000 square feet of workspace accommodate Metal Shark’s onsite engineering, project and production management, quality assurance, and administrative staff, with ample dedicated space to support each client’s project staff for the duration of each project.
Beneath the two-story offices are two production bays each measuring 150’ x 50’. One bay is occupied by twin CNC-controlled 40’ plasma cutting tables, which are served by a 10-ton overhead crane. The main bay is used as a secure warehouse for contractor and customer furnished materials and is served by a 7-½ ton overhead crane.
Two 175’ X 50’ construction buildings are used primarily for the construction and outfitting of boats and boat modules. To facilitate vessel launch, these buildings are located adjacent to the yard’s 660-ton Marine Travelift.
To streamline the construction process and reduce the reliance on outside subcontractors, the yard boasts fully equipped machine, electrical, and pipe shops. All piping and installation of main propulsion, electrical, and auxiliary equipment is performed in-house. Additional onsite support infrastructure includes panel and small parts fabrication shops and superstructure production and outfitting areas.
Fabrication, Construction, and Launching Equipment:
CNC Plasma Cutting Equipment:
Additional Welding and Cutting Equipment:
Primary Painting and Blasting Equipment:
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Learn more about our Jeanerette Production Facility and Franklin Shipyard.
Metal Shark has been recognized by the Shipbuilders Council of America for its leading safety practices. Click here to learn more.