Here is the Contract...for 1 ship with NAVY Option for 9 more

Credit: http://www.marinelog.com/ That looks familiar.

Oh, that's pricey, $185,433,564, more than twice what HSV's have gone for in the past and presumably will go for in the future. Notice the NAVY has the option of 9 more, or NOT.

Here is the 'scoop,' the first accurate media report:

From: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aq1LfQ6bI2Tg&refer=australia
"Austal Wins $185.4 Million Navy Award for High-Speed Vessel"
By Gopal Ratnam November 13, 2008 17:53 EST

Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- "Austal Ltd., the Perth, Australia- based shipbuilder, won a $185.4 million contract from the U.S. Navy to build a high-speed vessel that will transport troops and supplies, the Defense Department said.

The work will be performed by Austal's U.S. unit in Mobile, Alabama, the Pentagon said today on its Web site. The contract includes options to build as many as nine more ships..."

Here is the actual DoD press release:

From: http://www.defenselink.mil/CONTRACTS/CONTRACT.ASPX?CONTRACTID=3903
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
Contract On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=3903
Public contact: http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.html

FOR RELEASE AT 5 p.m. ET
November 13, 2008

CONTRACTS
NAVY

"Austal USA, Mobile Ala., is being awarded a $185,433,564 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2217) for the firm quantity of one Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) with options for up to nine additional ships and associated shore-based spares for the Phase II downselect of the JHSV Program. The JHSV Program will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the U. S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to be completed by November 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity."

"Mid-Atlantic Marine Services*, Dumfries, Va., is being awarded a $59,930,293 multiple award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cost plus fixed fee contract for engineering and technical shipboard alteration services for maintaining the fleet operational and material readiness of hull, mechanical and electrical systems and equipment on U.S. naval vessels..."

Oh, that's pricey, $185,433,564, more than twice what HSV's have gone for in the past and presumably will go for in the future. Notice the NAVY has the option of 9 more, or NOT.

Aloha, Brad