2020: NW Fast Ferry Launches

Mavrik to Build Second Fast Ferry for WETA
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) has exercised its option for a second 300-passenger high-speed ferry from Mavrik Marine of LaConner, Washington at a base price of $14.8 million. This 125-foot by 33-foot design is the latest model from Australian naval architects One2three, who have produced the plans for all Mavrik’s large catamarans. Like all the WETA fast ferries, it will be powered by a pair of MTU engines, but these will be the newest Tier 4 12V4000M65R diesels producing 2,000 hp each and turning Hamilton waterjets for a service speed of 32 knots. When it is delivered in 2021, this vessel will bring the WETA fleet to 17 catamarans with a total capacity of 6,000 passengers.

Nichols Brothers Building Ferries for Kitsap County
Nichols Brothers is continuing work on two 250 passenger fast ferries for Kitsap County to run on the Kingston and Southworth routes across Puget Sound to Pier 50 in Seattle. The 140-foot by 37-foot catamarans were designed in the UK by BMT Nigel Gee.

The ferries will be the first in the Northwest to be powered by two MTU Tier 4 16V400M65L main engines with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) exhaust after-treatment system supplied by Pacific Power Group of Kent, Washington. Each engine will produce 3,435 hp at 1,800 rpm, through ZF 9050 gears, turning Kamewa S71-4 waterjets. Maximum speed will be 37 knots and a cruise speed of 35 knots is expected at full load. The first boat is expected to be launched early in 2020. A Naiad Interceptor active ride- control system will be fitted to reduce motion in a seaway.

All American Marine Wins Multi-Vessel Contract
All American Marine Inc. in Bellingham, Washington, has launched an 80-foot by 27-foot long-range hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamaran from Teknicraft Design for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD). This agency is responsible for patrolling state waters, but also has a joint enforcement agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) to cover an additional 200 nautical miles in the exclusive economic zone. The new vessel needed to be capable of operating over a long range in adverse sea and weather conditions. Power will come from twin Caterpillar C18 engines with commercial rating of 469-715 bhp at 1,800-2,100 rpm with HamiltonJet HM521 waterjets.

AAM announced in February that it had secured another contract to build two identical 87-foot by 32-foot catamaran tour boats to expand Major Marine Tours’ fleet of wildlife and glacier cruise vessels visiting Kenai Fjords National Park. The propulsion package for these 150-passenger vessels consists of four waterjets powered by Scania DI16 082 engines, each rated at 788 bhp at 2,100 RPM. The semi-displacement design is again by Teknicraft of New Zealand and the vessels will be certified USCG Subchapter “T”.

Armstrong Marine Delivers Second IPS-Drive Catamaran
Armstrong Marine USA, of Port Angeles, Washington, has delivered a new 42-foot by 16-foot catamaran research vessel, Benthic Cat, to Orca Maritime, Inc. after successful launch and sea trials in Port Angeles Harbor. Orca Maritime selected the design after Armstrong delivered the same 4216-CTC model to UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography (R/V Bob and Betty Beyster) in 2019.

Orca Maritime will utilize the workboat in support of Department of Defense initiatives, environmental agencies, energy sectors, and commercial enterprise. Vessel operations will include the launch and recovery of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), underwater gliders, surface and underwater sensors, remotely operated vehicles (ROV), and unmanned surface vehicles (USV). Benthic Cat will also support surface-supplied/SCUBA diving operations and provide onboard data processing.

Kurt Nelson of Orca Maritime reflected on the project, “We were excited to team up with Armstrong Marine USA given their expertise in building specialized vessels to meet the exacting needs of their customers. R/V Benthic Cat has exceeded all our expectations for speed, fuel economy, range, and maneuverability. She fills the near shore multi-mission role perfectly.”

The catamaran features a full-width cabin with fly bridge, large aft working deck, hydraulic A-frame (5,000 lb. SWL), Northern Lights 9kw diesel generator, and Garmin/NMEA electronics package. The vessel is well equipped for multi-day operations along the Southern California coast with two interior work stations, a 4-person sleeping cuddy, head with shower, refrigerator/freezer, and 600-gallon fuel capacity.

Benthic Cat is powered by twin Volvo D11 510-hp inboards paired with Volvo IPS 650 propulsors and Volvo electric steering. Builder sea trials indicated 32 mph cruise and 37 mph top speeds. The dynamic positioning system integrates GPS navigation data with propulsion controls to automatically maintain heading and position. Joystick controls at the aft docking station and flybridge station ease handling. Deck equipment includes the A-frame with Pullmaster PL5 hydraulic winch, a Morgan Marine 200.3 crane, Kinematics hydraulic anchor winch and 5-inch aft deck horizontal capstan, and 28 tie-down points for securing equipment. Rigid LED flood lights illuminate the aft deck. Inside, three Bentley’s Patriot seats accommodate captain and crew.

Vigor Fast Boats
Vigor is currently building two pilot boats for the Port of Los Angeles in its new facility in Vancouver, Washington. The 56-foot by 16.5-foot craft will follow a design from pilot boat specialist naval architects Camarc of the UK who previously designed the 72-foot Columbia Bar Pilot boats – also fitted with the integrated Popsafe fender system using large-diameter HDPE tubing.

A cruise speed of 24 knots and a maximum speed of 27 knots will be possible with twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT’s rated at 803 bhp at 2,100 rpm. These are the largest engines allowed under the Tier 3 emission standards. Propulsion is via ZF 665A-1 reduction gears and five- blade propellers. The boats can seat two crew and eight pilots.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) and Vigor (Team RB-M) have delivered the first three of a six vessel RB-M contract to the US Coast Guard. The 45-foot by 14.7-foot boats are part of a Foreign Military Sale to The Kingdom of Bahrain’s Coast Guard. Hulls four through six are expected to ship in 2020. A total of 182 RB-Ms have been built by Team RB-M. FMM was the prime contractor and program manager, and Vigor fabricated the vessels at its Seattle facility using high temp resistant aluminum.

The RB-Ms were upgraded with an Arabian Gulf hot weather package that includes additional air conditioning, thermal insulation and an aft deck GRP canopy. Their primary missions are patrol and search and rescue. Key features of the boats include a 92,000 BTU HVAC system, Rolls Royce Kamewa FF375S waterjets and two MTU series 60, 825-hp engines. The RB-M has a top speed of more than 42 knots and mission duration of up to 24 hours.

Moose Boats Keeps California in the Running
Moose Boats located in the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California is nearing the launch of a 75-foot by 24-foot catamaran crew boat designed by the Australia architects Incat Crowther for Westar Marine Services of San Francisco. The Subchapter T design incorporates a 20-foot by 20-foot rear cargo deck that has a 20,000-lb capacity, with a cabin that can seat a crew of three and up to 28 passengers. The propulsion system consists of a pair of Volvo 6-cylinder D13 12.8-liter engines turning a Volvo IPS900 steerable pod drive turning twin counter-rotating propellers. Each engine will produce 690 hp (515 kW) and will be operated by integrated IPS controls and steering; the running speed is estimated to be 27 knots.

Moose has continued to offer the two standard catamarans it has been building for law enforcement, emergency response, and security patrol use. An M2-38 Fire Rescue Catamaran – the first on the Great Lakes – was delivered to the city of Rochester, New York Fire Department. It is powered by twin Cummins 425hp turbo diesels, with Twin Disc transmissions and Hamilton water-jets, and is equipped with a fire pump delivering 1,500 gallons per minute.

The latest order is from California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for the construction of an M1-46 catamaran with 16-foot beam and full fender, large transom step and full fendering to serve as an offshore Game Warden boat on the Northern California coast. Power will be supplied by twin Volvo Penta D11-625hp turbo diesel propulsion engines turning Hamilton water-jets.