Port Orchard-based Safe Boats International has signed a deal with the Port of Bremerton to lease the largest building at Olympic View Industrial Park.

Last used by the Navy for dry storage, ironically, the 62,500 square foot facility was originally was constructed for Imperial Manufacturing, a survival-suit manufacturer. Imperial was purchased by a larger firm who moved the operation out of the area. The building has sat empty for the past 18 months

Safe Boats uses a patented hull design featuring a foam-filled collar that can’t be punctured. It manufactures boats for the U.S. Coast Guard and others, such as the Kitsap County Sheriff’s office which uses one for its marine patrol activities. The boats also serve as yacht tenders for larger vessels.

The company hopes to expand its manufacturing rate to 100 to 150 boats a year at the industrial Park.