The shallow-draft sector of the U.S. shipbuilding industry continues its pattern of steady growth, especially in the offshore sector. Construction of utility boats, supply vessels, crewboats, and other types to service the offshore drilling and production platforms, as well as tugs and towboats for use on the inland waterways, is providing substantial and profitable work for most of the smaller yards.
This article—our First Annual Review of Shallow-Draft Vessels—is a portfolio of some of the outstanding craft that have been completed by U.S. shipyards during the past year.