Portsmouth, R.I., company gets Coast Guard approval on chase boat prototype

(Pro-Jo) PORTSMOUTH — The Coast Guard has approved the prototype for a new chase boat made by marine-trades company Naiad Inflatables of Newport Inc., giving the go-ahead for production of about 40 of the high-speed watercraft.

The contract will bring about $12 million to $24 million and additional employees to Naiad, which works alongside New England Boatworks in Melville to produce the aluminum-hulled boats. The speedy, 26-foot-long boats will serve as tenders for the Coast Guard’s new Fast Response Cutter. READ MORE