Front Street Shipyard expands in Maine

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The following is the text of a news release from Front Street Shipyard:

(BELFAST, Maine) — Front Street Shipyard has increased its capacity by adding a new facility located in the neighboring town of Bucksport. The additional building houses a team of composites experts who are currently beginning construction on a line of 30-foot multihull boats for Trefoil Marine. Reserved exclusively for Front Street Shipyard's production arm of the company, the Bucksport facility will continue to take on new construction opportunities as they arise.

The 15,000-square-foot building was constructed in 2005 for another production boatbuilding company that has since downsized. At this new location, Front Street Shipyard took delivery of the CNC-machined plugs the builders are using to create hull and deck molds for the Trefoil high-performance T30 boats. Production boatbuilding will begin later this spring.

"The opportunity to build the Trefoil boats brought about this expansion as well as new jobs," said JB Turner, president of Front Street Shipyard. "Everyone in Bucksport has been very welcoming to our newly formed composites team, and we look forward to making the resourceful town our second home."

The T30 catamarans built in the Bucksport facility will be used primarily for military and police patrol, fire and rescue. The craft's capabilities are applicable to the commercial and recreational markets as well. The first of the boats will be launched in early summer.

Front Street Shipyard currently has six full-time employees in the new facility and plans to more than double that number. The yard continues to seek skilled composites technicians to join the new workforce in Bucksport. Interested candidates can apply online.

By Professional Mariner Staff