Master Boat Builders

Master Boat Builders, Inc. is a family-owned shipyard founded in 1979 by James and Michael Rice in Coden, Alabama, after Hurricane Frederic destroyed their seafood shop. Over 40 years, it has built and delivered approximately 450 vessels to customers worldwide, evolving from small utility boats to shrimp boats, oil supply vessels, and innovative tugs, including the first all-electric battery tug in the United States.

Master Boat Builders was founded in 1979 after Hurricane Frederic destroyed the seafood shop owned by James and Michael Rice in Coden, Alabama. The father-son duo pivoted to boat building, and within months, Master Boat Builders was founded. Over its 40-year history, the company has adapted to the shipbuilding industry: in the 80s, they focused on small utility boats; later, as demand surged in shrimp fishing, they shifted to building shrimp boats; in the 90s, they transitioned primarily to building Oil Supply Vessels for almost 20 years; more recently, they entered the tugboat market, delivering innovative hybrid tugs and the first all-electric battery tug in the United States.

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