A Honolulu-based company with offices in Portland and Orono, Maine, has been awarded an $8 million Navy contract to design safer hulls and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for small high-speed boats. At an award announcement Tuesday in Navatek's Portland offices, Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins cited the improvements that will be aimed at helping Naval personnel avoid traumatic injuries.
"Because of the slapping of the fast boats in rough weather," said Collins. "A lot of times they get neck injuries, even spinal injuries, and that's part of what you're all about is trying to prevent that."
The Navy says the advanced designs will also improve performance and reduce noise for "special ops" missions.
Front Street Shipyard in Belfast will build the Navatek prototypes and take part in at-sea trials. Navatek will also work with the Advanced Structures & Composites Center at the University of Maine, which will make the hull molds in its large 3D printer.
