For over 65 years, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding Duclos Corporation has been at the vanguard of commercial vessel construction. Nestled on the Taunton River in Somerset, Massachusetts, this family-owned and operated shipyard is a testament to American shipbuilding prowess, with more than 430 vessels gracing the waters as symbols of its enduring quality and reliability.
Founded in 1956 by George Duclos, alongside partners Pret Gladding and Richard Hearn, Gladding-Hearn quickly established itself as a leader in the construction of steel and aluminum commercial vessels. A significant transition occurred in 1983 when Duclos took sole ownership, propelling the shipyard into its future under the steady guidance of the Duclos family lineage.
Gladding-Hearn's name is tantamount to unparalleled pilot boat construction in the United States. Renowned for its collaboration with C. Raymond Hunt Associates since 1978, the shipyard revolutionized the industry with the creation of the first deep-V hull launch, setting a new benchmark for pilot boat performance and safety.
The shipyard's repertoire spans a diverse array of maritime crafts, from tug boats and wind-farm support vessels to high-speed catamaran passenger ferries, under the esteemed Incat Crowther design. Further attesting to its innovation, in 2014, Gladding-Hearn introduced the first commercial application of Volvo Penta's IPS drives in U.S. pilot boats, enhancing speed, efficiency, and comfort.
