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Kvichak Delivers 50’ Pilot Boat in Alaska

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

July 30, 2013

Photo: Kvichak

Photo: Kvichak

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. of Seattle, Wash., recently delivered the P/V Bering, a 50’ x 15.5’ pilot vessel to the Southwest Alaska Pilots Association (SWAPA). Bering will operate in the coastal areas of South Central Alaska.

After acceptance of the Bering, the SWAPA crew and a Kvichak technician departed Seattle and began transiting north to Valdez, Alaska.

The Bering’s delivery encompassed 1350 nautical miles averaging 25 knots over five days (53.9 hours run time on the engines). Weather conditions were generally favorable, however Johnstone Strait in B.C. provided a good test for the handling and sea keeping characteristics of the Bering. Port calls during the five-day run were made in Port McNeil and Prince Rupert, B.C. and Hoonah and Yakutat, Alaska. Additional stops for fuel were made in Nanaimo and Klemtu, B.C. and Ketchikan and Petersburg, Alaska. The crew pulled into the pilot station at Rocky Point in Prince William Sound before proceeding on to their homeport in Valdez.

Designed by Kvichak Marine, the all-aluminum vessel is powered by twin CAT C18 ACERT tier II engines rated for 715 BHP coupled to Twin Disc MGX-5145SC marine gears. Hamilton 364 waterjets are the chosen propulsors. This combination allows for excellent maneuverability and a top speed of approximately 36 knots, the company said. The vessel has a Wing Hybrid fendering system.

Other specifications
•Overall length: 52.3’
•Beam, overall: 15.5’
•Draft (RFS): 2.75’
•Fuel capacity: 500 gallons
•Top speed: approximately 36 knots
•Integrated navigation system
•Northern Lights 20 kW generator
•Climate controlled pilot house
•Two crew and four passengers
•Deck heating
•Wing Hybrid fendering system
•Handrail heating

kvichak.com

swpilots.com

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