Kvichak Marine Building Patrol Boats

Kvichak Marine Industries of Seattle is currently building two 38 ft. patrol boats for the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) of New York. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in May 2000 with the second to follow in December. With a beam of 13.4 ft. and a 2.6 ft. draft, the all-aluminum vessels will replace two 36 ft. fiberglass boats that operated in the NCPD fleet for 17 years. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3126-DITA diesel engines, fitted to Twin Disc MG507-1 marine gears, the vessels will be used for patrol and rescue on the South Shore of Nassau County. Due to the operating conditions the vessels will encounter, the NCPD chose Hamilton 321 propulsion jets over conventional propellers and shafts. "The increased maneuverability and the increased safety of persons being rescued from the water as well as the safety of the underwater search and recovery team salso supported our decision for choosing jets," said Chief Robert Bishop of the NCPD. With a displacement of 27,000 lbs., fully loaded, and a fuel capacity of 250 gal., the patrol boats will cruise at a speed of 24 knots and reach a top speed of 28 knots.