Master Boat Builders Unveils State‑of‑the‑Art Floating Dry Dock to Boost Throughput

Master Boat Builders, Inc. announced it has taken delivery of a new floating dry dock, giving the company direct control over launch schedules and accelerating vessel deliveries.

Designed and built by Conrad Shipyard, the dry dock measures 155’ long x 66’ wide with 41’ tall wing walls, features a 2,000‑ton lifting capacity, and incorporates a barge bow to enable efficient towing. Master Boat will use the dock to launch recently constructed vessels.

Previously, Master Boat rolled vessels onto a barge and towed them to third-party facilities in Alabama and Mississippi for launch – forcing Master Boat to be dependent on the availability and schedule of other yards. Now, Master Boat will have the ability to launch directly from its facility along the Theodore Industrial Canal, eliminating external constraints while improving reliability and cadence.

The new dry dock complements Master Boat’s recently announced strategic partnership with Austal USA. The two companies aim to strengthen the domestic maritime industrial base by increasing the ability of proven, regional shipyards to take on large, complex programs for the U.S. government. Under the MOU, the companies will collaborate on current programs under contract to Austal USA as well as on future efforts, enabling greater