Jeanerette, La.-based boat manufacturer Metal Shark Aluminum Boats has hired marine industry veteran Carl Wegener as its director of commercial sales.

With over 25 years of experience in the boat and shipbuilding industry, Wegener brings a diversified background in engineering, strategic planning and business development. At Metal Shark, he will utilize this background and his extensive list of industry contacts to develop the company’s relationships with operators in the passenger ferry, fast crew, utility, entertainment and pilot boat markets.

“I have known Carl for many years and have always been impressed by his encyclopedic knowledge of the commercial shipbuilding sector,” explained Chris Allard, president of Metal Shark. “He knows all the players and he fully understands the challenges and opportunities. With our new Franklin shipyard preparing to come online, the timing was perfect, and we’re pleased to welcome Carl to the Metal Shark team.”

Construction is wrapping up on a new 60,000 square foot production building at Metal Shark’s new shipyard. The company is preparing to transfer the assembly of several 50’, 55’ and 75’ pilot boats and dive support vessels from its facility in Jeanerette to the new yard in Franklin, La., which is expected to be operational by mid-month.