MetalCraft Marine

MetalCraft Marine, Inc.
349 Wellington Street
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K7K 6N7

Dear MetalCraft Marine Inc.,

I am Phillip Brashear, the son of the late Master Chief, Master Diver of the Navy, Carl Brashear. Your company built a brand new fire-fighting water vessel for the city Newport News, Virginia in 2007. The city named the boat Carl Brashear in honor of my father. I wanted to thank your company for the great craftsmanship of your vessel and the honor you took in building it for the city of Newport News.

I have been informed that the U.S. Navy decided to match your efforts and will name their newest Lewis and Clark class Logistical Support Ship the "Carl Brashear". I wanted to personally thank you for being the first to honor my dad with a great water vessel. Your company was the first to commission a boat for my dad and nothing can change that fact. I am very grateful to the Navy for their gesture and will treasure it also. I just wanted you to know how I felt.

Good luck to your company in the future and may all of your future ventures be as successful as the ones you have enjoyed in the past.

Bob Clark, Contracts Manager
MetalCraft Marine, Inc.
349 Wellington Street
Kingston, Ontario

Dear Bob:

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary! Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend your 20th Anniversary Open House and Dinner Cruise in Kingston, Ontario on October 5-7, 2OO7.

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department reached a significant milestone this year as we placed our first MetalCraft 50' fireboat into service in January 2007. We are anxiously awaiting the delivery of our MetalCraft 36' fireboat in October 2OO7.

We appreciate the outstanding customer service provided by your staff and look forward to many more years of our positive working relationship.

Tom Wroe
President
Metalcraft Marine Inc

Tom:

On behalf of the City of Portsmouth Fire Department, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the workmanship and quality of our new 30’ Fire Boat. In November we came up to your facility to review the vessel as it was 90% to 95% done. After the three day adventure, we were thoroughly impressed with the design and operation of the boat. Now, here we are one week after delivery and are constantly reminded by our personnel and area fire service members that we selected a truly exceptional fire and rescue boat.

Please relay our gratitude to the production crew, staff, and members of the management who were involved in designing and building our boat. I would like to especially recognize Gavin Jones, Project Manager, for his insight, honesty, and dedication throughout the building process, as well as the high quality training he provided our personnel upon delivery of the boat in Portsmouth. We still have a lot of work to do before the boat is in service, but that’s the fun part.

As we look forward to a long and positive working relationship with you and you company, thanks again.

Bob Clark, Contracts Manager
MetalCraft Marine, Inc.
349 Wellington Street
Kingston, Ontario

Bob,

I wanted to take a moment to send you and your staff a letter of thanks for the hard work and commitment shown in the purchase and construction of our Firestorm 30.

My staff and I spent several years researching this project looking for the perfect vessel for the unique water conditions we experience. The committee was not encouraged with the products we found on the market during this time and feared we would end up with a product that did not address our needs. I still recall our first conversation with you on this project and how I felt that we had finally found not only a product, but a staff that would work with us to create a vessel that fit our needs.

I do feel the need to share what I consider a classic story that truly speaks for your company and the product you build. While in the process of building the new Fire Boat we had a Fire Department out of a neighboring State visit us to purchase our old Fire Boat. During this meeting I made the mistake of "showing off" the plans of what Metal Craft what building to replace the old unit. Much to my dismay the next time I saw this Fire Chief was in Kingston Ontario, he was signing a contract with Metal Craft himself. He had never contacted us to advise us he would not be purchasing our unit and to see his face when we walked in was priceless.

Please pass on my thanks to your entire staff who assisted with this process. I can not say enough about the service we received at all points during this endeavor, I have and will recommend your product to other Fire Districts who inquire.

Yours in Fire Safety

Jeffrey R. Dorhauer Sr.
Fire Chief
Osage Beach Fire Protection District

Good morning, I would highly recommend a MetalCraft boat to anyone and everyone. The fireboat that we have is the original FIRESTORM and it was our guys that had the dream of the vessel that started the process on this particular model.

First, to be straightforward with you, I also have a company that performs some delivery setup and training for MetalCraft Marine. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn't have ventured into an agreement with MCM if I didn't believe in their product. I have watched them build several boats over the past four or five years and they absolutely take care of the customer.

As for our boat, its a FIRESTORM 36, 5 years old, was refurbished last winter and still looks and runs great. Why was it refurbished already? MCM took care of us; since we were the first FIRESTORM built some changes have been incorporated on the latest versions for the better and MCM made those changes for us. We also took advantage and made a few changes that we have seen other make to their vessels. Examples; larger steering system, split fuel tanks for more equipment storage, improved mast, and we added a diesel 6kw generator. Our vessel definitely meets our standards.

We have a large association of police and fire vessels on the Potomac River and I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that didn't want our vessel. After seeing ours, Fairfax, Alexandria and DC all purchased one. MCM sends most local (MD, NY, DE, NJ, NC, VA, SC, PA) to our area to see and ride on our vessels when they are considering purchasing one. That invitation is also open to you and your committee.

I think you are absolutely on the right track by checking with current owners. Take the time to come down and see our vessel along with Fairfax (36), Alexandria (30), DC (30) and Annapolis (36) all within an hour or so of each other. You will see the same great construction and a world of differences (electronics and such) that each department incorporated by building off each others vessels and according to budgets.

What would I do differently? Our committee traveled the country looking for a builder to build their dreamboat. Most builders said this is what we build, take it or leave it. MCM listened and designed our dream. We shot from the hip and didn't have anything to really look at and compare. I would take advantage of the fact there are several versions built and in service around the country and visit them. Incorporate the ideas these companies have improved or designed that fir your needs.

Something I would add that I didn't? Maybe a foam system. We didn't put a foam system on board and still have not had the need, but we primarily run incidents involving pleasure craft and not ships. A foam system would be nice when the need arises. Any major problems with the dealer? No. I do know they seem to run fairly tight on their schedules.

A question you didn't ask was about the jets? If you are considering jets (assuming you are with a 36'), the training can be apprehensive to some. We were very concerned along with some other purchasers. I mention this in case someone has already voiced this concern. Don't let this be a concern. We have developed a training program that teaches operators the basics and has them operating a jet boat with about 8 hours of operating time. I wouldn't purchase another fireboat with props if the use of jets were available for the location and task at hand. We currently run 2 jets; 36' MCM, 27' MCM. We also have a 19' ridged hull with an outboard and it has its uses, especially on smaller bodies of water that I can't get either of our jet boats to. Feel free to call me at the number listed below if you have further questions or want to arrange a time to visit.

Thanks,

I have taken the liberty of sending this to you on letterhead to let you all know that your hard work and friendly, caring natures as you applied them in the building of our City's Patrol Boat have not gone unappreciated.

I was very lucky to have done business with this boat and this company. Because ofthe levels ofknowledge, dedication, and flexibility shown by each and every employee I dealt with throughout the building process, I was able to obtain a world-class, superior product for the citizens of Annapolis for a very reasonable price. Also, the "stress and strain" of having a boat built was vastly reduced because I knew that my concerns and suggestions would be taken seriously, and I never had any doubts in the quality of the work or materials furnished.

Since its delivery, the boat has done everything I specified and more. It has provided my office with a stable, robust, versatile, economical-to-operate platform for all operations from collecting mooring fees on a flat day, to salvaging vessels off a rip-rap wall in 25 knot onshore winds and assisting the local Coast Guard during special events. It is simple, dependable, and easy to operate. All of my assistants, and the local police who often ride with us, love it and are proud to operate it.

Most people who have had the chance to be aboard during daily operations, even experienced boaters, are pleasantly surprised by the unparalleled maneuverability and sea-kindliness and have learned to love it very fast. In short, this boat shows an excess of every quality necessary for daily patrols and the types of emergencies we deal with. I do not feel that any duty we could throw at it would be a serious challenge to its capabilities - it's a clear cut csae of "the boat could take more than we can," which is a great position to be in for any outfit that has to operate a boat in varied duties for upwards of 5 hours a day, every day, year after year.

Thank You!

I was the Contracting Officer Representative for the Panama Canal Commission for the construction of three vessels constructed by MetalCraft Marine Inc., and believe that I have a first hand knowledge of their abilities.

During this project we found our dealings with MCM to be equitable, reliable and consciencous. They truly were striving to produce the best boat possible. During the building process many design changes were suggested both by PCC and MCM these changes made great improvements to the final product. The vessel met the contract specification and exceeded our expectations. PCC Dredging Division has also purchased two other vessels through CCC from MCM and found the same cooperation.

The 54' – 42 passenger Crew Boat has been working in the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Commission for approximately two years. To date we have not had any problems with the vessel, all aspects of the vessel were engineered to our needs, and the craftsmanship was carried out expertly and methodically.

If you have any further questions regarding this vessel please contact me at telephone # 011-507-272-5549 (or Mr. Jorge De La Guardia at telephone # 011-507-272-6163).

Wanted to drop you a line about our 22ft boat. I've used it for all one season now in all kinds of weather.... I've operated boats for over 40 years and this is the best rough water boat for its size I've ever worked with.

We've used it for buoy maintenance, dock maint., shoreline cleanup, boat operator training, and in our dive program. The divers tell me that getting in and out of the water is very easy with the dive platforms, even with tank and weight belt on.

The deck space and the gunnel height make working on buoys a snap. We transport buoy anchors that weigh about 1000 lbs. No problem!

Thanks for the workmanship. You'll can be proud!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, Ron Potter, Tim Hastie, and Deborah Berry for all of the work done in connection with the unit's van. Constable Neil Finn has relayed that your service throughout the project was excellent and that the end result was extraordinary in the practical use of all available space.

I would like to thank you and your organization for providing us with a tour of your facility on such short notice.

We were quite impressed with the video presentation of the new C.C.G. vessel "Cape Sutil" and some of the other projects which were completed by your yard. We also found the short in-action sea trials of the new C.C.G. vessel very interesting.

Ron and I found our visit to Metalcraft Marine extremely informative and beneficial. The pride you and your workforce have in your product is evident and justified.

We greatly appreciate the assistance Wally Solonka provided North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA) in the purchase of a new boat for Ross Lake.

Wally's savvy and expertise in hull design and propulsion packages were very helpful as we finalized specifications for the new vessel. His familiarity with boat manufacturers helped steer us away from inferior products- and encouraged us to acquire the equipment we needed from a reputable manufacturer on GSA contract. Wally's visits to the manufacturer while the boat was under construction saved us unnecessary worry of contract oversight and allowed for minor improvements to be done at no cost. We can not overstate the value of Wally's involvement in this process.

We took delivery of the boat in October. After its maiden voyage on Ross Lake, staff members agreed that we have added an extremely functional and valuable boat to our fleet. We are impressed with the design, craftsmanship and performance of this vessel. In all respects, it exceeds our expectations.

Thank you for making Wally available to assist us. Without his solid support, we would not have been able to aquire a boat of such quality.