WorkBoat Magazine editor Dave Krapf said, ‘It’s important to continue the WorkBoat Show’s long association with New Orleans for several reasons. The city and surrounding region remains a hotbed of workboat activity. It’s where the offshore workboat industry got its start over 50 years ago when New Orleans based Tidewater launched the first energy service vessel. It has been the only home of the International WorkBoat Show. We want to end a message that the region is still important to the industry and help support the region’s post-Katrina rebuilding effort by bringing the industry’s largest show back to New Orleans in 2006.

This year’s Workboat Show will celebrate the boatbuilding industry with Shipyard Day 2006 on Wednesday 29 November. The 10 Significant Boats of 2006 Awards Ceremony will take place at 1:00, with awards presented to the boat builders, vessel owners and designers of the winning boats.

In a keynote speech at 2:00, Boysie Bollinger, CEO of Bollinger Shipyards Inc, will discuss the health of Gulf Coast yards a year after Katrina. Complimentary beer will be distributed at a Shipyard Day Celebration following this speech.

European participation in the Workboat Show continues to grow, with workboats drive system manufacturer Masson-Marine of France among the companies crossing the Atlantic to exhibit. In an international market where waiting times grow increasingly longer, with demand from shipowners, shipyards and engine manufacturers continuing to rise, Masson-Marine should prove popular in New Orleans with its ability to supply its standard products in four months as well as reduction gears for special applications in six months.

Germany’s Hatlapa, which has agencies for its deck equipment, compressors and steering gears in 35 countries, travels to New Orleans with the aim of extending existing business relationships in the USA and entering into new ones. Hatlapa will be showing its HLP 440 low pressure hydraulic motor and its Vertical Capstan 30 amongst other products.