Naval architect Donald L. Blount has died at the age of 87. An expert in the field of high-speed craft hydrodynamics, Donald's research and engineering innovation significantly contributed to the US Navy's high performance small vessel fleet. 
His fascination with hydrodynamics began when he was a Virginia Tech co-op student working at the David Taylor Model Basin, the Navy's premier hydrodynamic research facility. Following his career with the U.S. Navy, where he managed the Combatant Craft Department, Donald formed DLBA in 1988 “as a naval architecture and marine engineering firm, specialising in the technical development of high-performance marine craft consulting services related to the design, evaluation, testing, and construction management of motor yachts, custom sportfishing boats, production boats, commercial, military and paramilitary vessels.”
In 2015 Donald was awarded the David W. Taylor medal for 'Notable Achievement in Naval Architecture and/or Marine Engineering'. Donald L. Blount & Associates will continue as the DBLA Division of Gibbs & Cox.