Highwater brings together Eptec Defence and AMP United to create a 
scaled global naval preservation and sustainment platform serving the 
U.S., Australian and allied defense fleets across key naval ports 
 
 
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 07, 2026-- 
 
   Arlington Capital Partners ("Arlington"), a Washington, D.C.-area 
private investment firm specializing in government regulated industries, 
today announced the launch of Highwater (the "Company"), a leading naval 
services platform focused on vessel preservation, repair and other 
specialist services for the U.S., Australian and allied fleets. 
Highwater combines Arlington portfolio company Eptec Defence ("Eptec") 
with AMP United, LLC ("AMP United"), a leading U.S. provider of naval 
preservation, structural and scaffolding services. 
 
 
   Highwater brings together two highly complementary naval preservation 
businesses with significant expertise in the U.S. Navy and the Royal 
Australian Navy's most complex programs across submarines, carriers and 
surface ships. Together, the businesses serve as the foundation for 
Highwater's future growth, which will include adding adjacent marine 
capabilities to better serve government and prime contractor customers. 
The formation of Highwater comes as the U.S., Australia and allied 
navies are deepening relationships through security partnerships such as 
AUKUS. With over 600 employees operating in locations such as Norfolk, 
Virginia; San Diego; Honolulu; Sydney; Adelaide; and Perth, Highwater is 
positioned to support its customers wherever they operate across a 
multitude of mission-critical services. 
 
 
   Steve Zogas, CEO of Highwater, said, "I am excited to continue our 
partnership with Arlington as we launch Highwater and bring together 
global teams with deep experience in naval preservation. Our customers 
need a partner that can move with urgency, operate safely in complex 
shipyard environments and deliver repeatable quality at scale across 
ports. Highwater's U.S. and Australian footprint and past performance 
are uniquely suited to service nuclear-powered vessels and surface ships 
that address Indo-Pacific threats." 
 
 
   "Today is validation of the key foundations of operational excellence 
and culture that we have worked to build and maintain," said Peter 
Lignos, CEO of AMP United. "We are immensely grateful for Arlington's 
support and look forward to continuing to deliver on future strategic 
initiatives with our new partners at Highwater, Eptec Defence and 
Arlington." 
 
 
   Naval preservation is a vital and highly complex segment of the maritime 
sustainment market. The work, including surface preparation, coatings, 
containment, abatement, scaffolding, structural support and related 
services, accelerates repair cycles and extends service life of ships 
and submarines. The speed with which U.S., Australian and allied fleets 
can complete availabilities and return to active service significantly 
lags current operational requirements, and Highwater was created to help 
solve that problem. Highwater is designed to bring broader lifecycle 
capabilities at scale under one brand to a market where fleet readiness 
increasingly depends on access to high-quality, reliable outsourced 
partners. 
 
 
   "Highwater reflects Arlington's approach to building market-leading 
platforms in sectors essential to national security," said Peter Manos, 
a Managing Partner at Arlington Capital Partners. "As geopolitical 
competition intensifies and naval fleets face growing operational 
demands, naval modernization and preservation is essential to fleet 
readiness. This market remains highly fragmented, and Arlington is 
excited to invest in infrastructure and human capital that is required 
to drive high quality results for our prime contractor and government 
customers." 
 
 
   As part of the launch, Highwater welcomed Vice Admiral William Galinis 
to its board of directors. Vice Adm. Galinis previously served as 
commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), overseeing the 
Navy's shipbuilding and maintenance programs across submarines, carriers 
and surface ships. His appointment reflects Highwater's commitment to 
keeping allied fleet readiness at the center of its mission. 
 
   About Highwater 
 
 
   Highwater is a leading global naval services platform preserving Allied 
Naval readiness across the U.S. and Australia. For more than 25 years, 
Highwater has delivered independent naval preservation services that 
keep fleets mission ready and on schedule. With dedicated presence 
across key naval hubs in the United States and Australia, Highwater 
supports submarines, carriers, surface combatants and support vessels 
with trusted and proven defense-focused expertise. For more information, 
visit Highwater's website at www.Highwater.com. 
 
   About Arlington Capital Partners 
 
 
   Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, D.C.-area private investment 
firm specializing in government-regulated industries. Focused on the 
aerospace and defense, government services and technology, and 
healthcare sectors, the Firm partners with founders and entrepreneurs to 
build platforms of strategic importance to national priorities. 
Operating in markets with high barriers to entry, Arlington looks to 
partner with organizations within these industries that save lives, 
improve effectiveness, and reduce costs. Since inception in 1999, 
Arlington has invested in over 200 companies and raised over $14 billion 
in committed capital. The Firm is currently investing out of its $6 
billion Fund VII. For more information, visit Arlington's website at 
www.arlingtoncap.com and follow Arlington on LinkedIn. 
 
 
 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707716305/en/

 
 
    CONTACT:    Media Contact 
 
   Ryan Fitzgibbon 
 
   Prosek Partners 
 
 
   Pro-arlington@prosek.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 07, 2026 08:10 ET