To complete the work, Circa is expanding its operation - extending the main buildings, installing another overhead gantry and employing 20-25 more staff, contract manager Paul Wilson said.
"We're also undertaking an in-house training programme to get school leavers and less-skilled staff into the industry, through the New Zealand Marine Industry Training Organisation.
"The successful trainees will be offered apprenticeships in a number of disciplines."
Mr Dashew selected the company to build his boats after they constructed the hull for his personal vessel about five years ago. Kelly Archer in Auckland finished the interior.
"He visited a number of boat yards around the world and he selected us. He was impressed with the quality of our workmanship," Mr Wilson said.
A vote of confidence by Mr Dashew carries a lot of weight in the industry - his designs are sought-after around the globe.
"He almost has a cult following among the selling fraternity," Mr Wilson said.
"He designs vessels that exceed Lloyds specifications [the marine-specification standard] twice over. Everything is designed for worst-case scenario and absolute safety. The electronics on board have back-ups and those electronics have back-ups."
The FPB64, for example, is capable of cruising around the globe. It has a maximum range of about 6000 nautical miles and a top speed of 11 knots. It can also right itself if it capsizes.
Initially Circa was selected to just do the aluminium work but the vessels are now completely built in Whangarei by staff and subcontractors to the company.
Working with Mr Dashew had been a major boost for the company and had helped it ride out, if not thrive, during the ongoing global recession, Mr Wilson said.
It's an approach that could benefit other Northland companies who have built up a reputation for quality workmanship and good business relationships.
"My advice would be to back themselves more and align with other companies so they are not limited to New Zealand.
"New Zealand is renowned for the quality of craftsmanship in the IT sector and business but its also extremely evident within the trades.
"What we need to do is to promote ourselves. "If we don't say how good we are then the world won't know how good we are. It's not the Kiwi way to say 'look how good we're doing' but successful companies globally select their target market put themselves in an environment where they can succeed."
As with many Northland companies, one of the biggest challenges for Circa Marine & Industrial is finding skilled staff.
The region has had an exodus of skilled workers leaving for more pay in Australia and Dubai.
"One of the main comments we hear is that the pay skilled staff are being offered offshore is at a point where it just can't be ignored," Mr Wilson said.
The company is countering that with the guarantee that the business has at least three years' worth of work and is promoting Northland as a destination that offers a great lifestyle.
"We are competing with large Australian businesses who are basically here to steal our talent. It's very difficult but Northland offers a lifestyle and we provide an environment where a family can grow. We already know that we pay qualified staff the same as what they get in Auckland but the cost of living in Northland is better than Auckland and the quality of life is far superior."
Mr Wilson said the completion of the latest contract represented a major achievement for the company. It was built entirely in Whangarei, in the shortest build timeline of the five produced to date, within budget and to an even higher standard than its predecessors.
"We are proud of what we are doing and we have something to shout about its a success for Whangarei, Northland and New Zealand.
"There are a lot of companies that are really struggling. We have been in the position where we have had to watch all we do. Whangarei companies need to back themselves and be as good as they can be don't be afraid to compete in a market which is dominated by multi-nationals."
