Birdon said it secured an $18.3m contract from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration to deliver 15 Bridge Erection Boats, and it also won a 20-year deal to design, build, operate and maintain the new Daintree River Ferry in Australia. The company said production began on two prototype ASC-M landing craft for the US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, while build-out of 27 Waterways Commerce Cutters for the US Coast Guard is under way.
Bristol Marine launched and sent the Bristol 30 to sea trials at its yard in Somerset, MA, on December 23, 2024. The outboard-powered downeast-style boat was developed across the company’s New England yards and draws on the classic Southport 30 design by David Nutt in Maine.
Bristol Marine featured mechanic Kara Aardal, who joined the yard after training at the International IYRS School of Technology and Trades. Aardal said she studied for her captain’s licence during COVID, worked as a launch driver and sailing instructor, and later chose Bristol Marine after visiting the marina as an IYRS student.
