What JMS Naval Architects does

JMS Naval Architects is a specialty maritime engineering firm established in 1988 and headquartered in Mystic, Connecticut. The firm provides naval architecture, marine engineering, marine surveying, and salvage engineering services to federal government agencies (U.S. Navy, NSF, NOAA, USCG, USGS), academic marine science institutions, and commercial maritime operators. Core offerings include complete vessel design from concept through shipyard bid packages for tugs, research vessels, tank barges, crane barges, heavy lift vessels, dry docks, passenger vessels, and work boats; 24/7 marine casualty response through its ERnet membership for OPA 90 compliance; and specialized safety and seaworthiness inspections of research vessels.

The firm's technology base combines proprietary domain software with commercial engineering tools. JMS served as systems architect for the HECSALV and POSSE salvage engineering software programs deployed by the U.S. Navy, and has developed over 200 CargoMax loading programs approved by ABS, DNV, NK, BV, and Lloyds classification societies. Personnel hold USCG licenses, Professional Engineer registrations, and Society of Marine Surveyors (SAMS) certifications, and the firm authored the U.S. Navy Salvor's Handbook (1990) — subsequently released as an iPhone application. Engineering work is performed using AutoCAD, Rhino, SolidWorks, and finite element analysis tools.

JMS operates as a B2B professional services firm generating revenue through project-based engagements and multi-year contracts. The company holds GSA Contract Holder status and Veteran-Owned Small Business certification since 1988, giving it access to federal set-aside procurement. The firm owns the Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) subsidiary, a commercial diving training institution founded in 1968, extending its footprint into adjacent vocational education. Customer relationships are characteristically long-tenured — NSF (28+ years), USGS (since 1998), Bath Iron Works (16+ years), and the U.S. Navy (since 1990).

Name

JMS Naval Architects

Legal name

JMS Naval Architects

Website

https://jmsnet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

JMS Naval Architects is a Mystic, CT-based specialty maritime engineering firm providing naval architecture, salvage engineering, marine engineering, and surveying services to federal agencies, academic institutions, and commercial maritime operators since 1988.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Management & Owner’s Engineering / Technical Consultancy (Spec Writing, Bid Support, Site Support) (IMAJAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Production Design & Detailed Engineering (3D CAD, Drawings, BOM, Nesting) (IMAJAGAK), Safety, Risk & Compliance Engineering (SOLAS, Class Rules, HAZID/HAZOP, FMEA) (IMAJAGAJ), Stability, Weight & Load Analysis (Intact/Damage Stability, Weight Control) (IMAJAGAI)

Keywords

• Naval architecture services
• Marine engineering design
• Salvage engineering
• Vessel inspection surveys
• Marine casualty response

Headquarters

HQ city

Mystic

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Consulting Services: JMS generates revenue by providing naval architecture, marine engineering, marine surveying, and salvage engineering professional services to maritime clients. Services are delivered through project-based engagements and multi-year contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

JMS Naval Architects provides naval architecture, marine engineering, marine surveying, and salvage engineering professional services to government agencies (U.S. Navy, NSF, NOAA, USCG, USGS), academic institutions, and commercial maritime operators. Deliverables include complete vessel design packages from concept through shipyard bid packages, 24/7 marine casualty response, structural and stability analysis using proprietary software (HECSALV, POSSE, CargoMax), and research vessel inspections.

Product overview

JMS Naval Architects is a specialty maritime engineering firm offering a comprehensive suite of engineering and consulting services. The core offerings include Naval Architecture Services (complete vessel design from concept to shipyard bid packages), Salvage Engineering Services (24/7 marine casualty response with proprietary HECSALV software), Marine Engineering Services (repairs, modifications, repowering), and Marine Surveying Services. Additional specialized services include computer animation for litigation and documentaries, Research Vessel Inspection Services for NSF and academic institutions, and CargoMax Loading Programs. The company also developed the U.S. Navy Salvor's Handbook mobile app and provides technical support for the U.S. Polar Program. The portfolio spans research vessels, tank barges, crane barges, dry docks, and salvage operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Naval Architecture Services

Quantifiable outcome

• JMS has been partner in achieving continuous improvement goals for NSF research vessels for over 28 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Navy (Supervisor of Salvage)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMS was selected by the U.S. Navy to write the U.S. Navy Salvage Engineers Handbook and serve as the systems architects for the salvage engineering software POSSE and HECSALV.
• Ocean Technology Foundation (OTF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMS provides engineering and technical support to OTF for locating historic shipwrecks including the Bonhomme Richard expeditions. JMS developed computer drift simulations and search area models for these expeditions.
• French NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Navy provided substantial support to the North Sea search for the Bonhomme Richard in 2009, including hydrographic ships, divers, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.
• Ocean Technology FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMS partnered with OTF on multiple expeditions including HMS Challenger virtual tour, Bonhomme Richard searches, and North Cape Lobster Restoration Program.
• Resolve Marine GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2009 Bonhomme Richard expedition organized by the Ocean Technology Foundation.
• Bath Iron WorkscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJMS has been providing on-site supervision and project management supporting all diving operations at Bath Iron Works for over 16 years.
• Senesco MarineminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSenesco Marine of North Kingstown, RI built vessels designed by JMS including HARBOR FUEL 1 double-hull tank barge and floating dry docks.
• Massachusetts Maritime AcademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJMS provided construction support and marine engineering for T.S. KENNEDY training vessel modifications and conversions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Incat Crowther: Global naval architecture firm designing commercial vessels including tugs, ferries, and research ships — broader portfolio and international footprint than JMS but with overlapping vessel design capabilities.
• Huntington Ingalls Industries: Large U.S. defense shipbuilder (Ingalls Shipbuilding) building Navy surface combatants and amphibious ships — adjacent to JMS in naval program support but operating at vastly greater scale across full shipbuilding rather than design/consulting.
• Herbert Engineering Corp. Long-established naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy with broad global reach across commercial ship design and offshore — overlaps with JMS on vessel design and engineering but operates at larger scale internationally.

Direct peers

• Glosten: Independent naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy headquartered in Seattle, providing vessel design, engineering analysis, and program management for commercial, research, and government clients — directly comparable to JMS in scope and customer mix.
• Robert Allan Ltd. Canadian naval architecture firm specializing in tug, barge, and working vessel design — closely comparable to JMS in vessel design portfolio and survey/inspection work, although regionally focused in Canada.
• Elliott Bay Design Group: Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm providing vessel design, structural analysis, and program management for commercial, research, and government operators — overlaps JMS on tug, barge, research vessel, and workboat design.
• Bristol Harbor Group: Naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy providing vessel design, structural analysis, and FEA services to commercial and government clients — comparable to JMS in service scope and client profile.
• Guido Perla & Associates: Naval architecture and marine engineering firm specializing in vessel design and program management for commercial and government clients, including research vessels — closely mirrors JMS's core naval architecture practice.

Regional players

• Resolve Marine Group: Global marine salvage and emergency response operator that partners with JMS for engineering support; overlaps JMS on casualty response but executes the actual salvage rather than providing engineering services.

Others

• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): Classification society that approves JMS's CargoMax loading programs and provides regulatory standards referenced throughout JMS work — an enabling standards body rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JMS Naval Architects