Nichols Bros News

The Northwest's boat builders Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has won a design and build contract to build two new high-speed passenger-only ferries for Kitsap Transit with an option for a third.The Kitsap County, Washington public transit agency launched a new fast-ferry service in July 2017 between Bremerton and downtown Seattle with plans to add service connecting Kingston and Southworth to Seattle.Earlier this year, Kitsap Transit purchased the “Finest,” a 350-passenger high-speed catamaran from New York Waterways and shipped it to Puget Sound.Following a refurbishment at NBBB, Finest started its inaugural run between Kingston and downtown Seattle the day after Thanksgiving on the busiest shopping day of the year.

In a historically weak contracting environment the cruise sector has seen a strong level of newbuild ordering and investment in the year to date, says a research report by Clarkson. Cruise lines have continued to expand their fleets, with new markets such as China in their sights. While a number of yards have benefitted from this firm level of newbuilding activity, they have all been European and the region remains dominant in the cruise sector. In the first seven months of 2016, 17 cruise ships of a total 45,420 passenger berths have been reported contracted, already surpassing the 11 ships (33,788 berths) ordered in full year 2015.

by Nichols Bros Boat Builders for Wahkiakum County. ft. x 47 ft. run between ferry terminals in Cathlamet, Wash. Westport, Ore. reversing reduction gears with two fixed-pitched propellers. 2015. services on behalf of owners, operators and shipyards across the country.

Kvichak Marine Industries and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders recently delivered the third of four high-speed, environmentally friendly ferries to the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) located in San Francisco. The M/V Scorpio is a 118-ft by 28.7-ft by six-ft high speed catamaran with a cruise speed of 25 knots at 85% of engine MCR. The all aluminum vessel has an interior seating capacity for 159 passengers and additional exterior seating for 49 passengers. The vessel will also carry 34 bicycles, which is 20% more than similar vessels in the San Francisco Bay area.

Guido Perla has always had a love of the sea. Perla, who was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, came to the U.S. in 1971 to pursue his dream of using the "tools" he was given to become a naval architect. His story is one that is marked by innovation, relationships and hard work. — By Regina P. Guido Perla’s philosophy on naval architecture and marine engineering — on life — is easily summed up: "I always follow what my father used to say," Perla said. "It is better to be wrong than to be average." Perla is not shy to admit that he's not always perfect, but that does not mean that he will not try and try again until he achieves perfection. "You don't learn anything from sitting around and doing nothing," Perla quips. "You learn from making a move and taking risks.

The Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service on San Francisco Bay ordered a new 315-passenger catamaran ferry from Nichols Bros. Boatbuilders. Measuring 112 x 33 ft. (34.1 x 10 m), the catamaran, which is being designed by International Catamarans of Australia, is expected to go into service in the fall 2001. The vessel will become the newest member of Nichols-built catamarans that are currently operating between the Alameda area and the San Francisco ferry terminal, as well as other landings by the Alameda/Oakland ferry service. Expected to operate at a maximum loaded speed of 26 knots over its regular 6.5-mile route on the Bay, the vessel will be powered by KTA 38 Cummins engines operating at 1,190-hp driving standard propellers.

(Pictured is the Littoral Surface Craft – Experimental, "X-Craft," will be christened SEA FIGHTER (FSF-1) on 5 February 2005. designate it as the first Fast Sea Frame, Saturday, Feb. ceremony at Nichols Bros. Boat Builders, Whidbey Island, Wash. Rep. will deliver the principal address. sponsor. waters. packages. development at sea. in length and displaces 950 tons. navigational draft of 11.5 feet. and two waterjets will power Sea Fighter to speeds reaching 50 knots. Fighter's crew will consist of 16 Navy sailors and 10 Coast Guardsmen.

The passenger vessel industry continues to be mired in a construction malaise with high-speed passenger only ferries and more conventional passenger auto ferries the only bright spot. The epicenter of the passenger vessel ferry business is the New York City metro area where dozens of new ferries have been added to replace the PATH and other subway lines destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Suddenly "the way to work" for thousands of commuters was severed. Recent deliveries into the area include five 79-foot catamarans for NY Waterway. They are single deck, 149-foot passenger only ferries. The company also has purchased two 340-passsenger fast ferries from NY Fast Ferry. The ramp up in New York City ferry services has not been without difficulties, however.

Wynn Marine has completed the installation of a window wiping system for a new Los Angeles Fireboat. production for the Los Angeles Fire Department by Nichols Bros. Builders, based in Washington. to serve the L.A. Port area. The wiper system is based on the Type C Internal motor Straight line wiper from Wynn’s heavy duty Ocean Range. excellent reliability and window coverage. provide a clear view at all times. into the air, which can seriously affect visibility on bridge windows.

Known for its sleek, fast and high-performance wave-piercing catamarans, Incat Australia expanded its reach to U.S. shores with its decision last year to partner with Lockport, La.,-based Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and design of a new breed of high speed, aluminum fast craft for operation in the U.S. Wanting to break into the U.S. military market, Bollinger Incat USA is poised to establish a new breed of fast ferry construction that will meet the needs of the U.S military forces. The company also plans to position its vessels as a means to alleviate traffic on highways with its plan for high-speed, high-performance freight vessels, which will be able to carry a mix of semi-trailers and freight vehicles.

Subsequent to a lengthy bidding process, the Port of Los Angeles will receive a trio of three all-aluminum fireboats, which will be constructed by Kvichak Marine Industries. Measuring 39 ft. Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle. The three new vessels, which will be named Fireboat #1, #3 and #5, will be stationed throughout the Port of L.A. and are scheduled to replace three existing vessels that are each more than 35 years old. A 105-ft. (32 m) steel fireboat, currently under construction at Nichols Bros. of Freeland, Wash. will also join the upgraded fleet in 2002. Each having a beam of 14 ft. (4.2 m), the fireboats will be powered by twin Caterpillar 3126B engines, driving 27-in. propellers through Twin Disc MG-507A gears.

Blue & Gold Fleet, of San Francisco, has sold its 72 x 29 ft. all-aluminum, high-speed passenger catamaran ferry, Ohlone Spirit (ex-Alderbrook Express) to T.M.T. Corp., of Washington. The 212-passenger vessel was built in 1984 by Nichols Bros., of Freeland, Wash. to an INCAT design. It was powered by twin GM16V92Ts for a total of 1,600 hp producing a speed of 22 knots. Ohlone Spirit was most recently serving as a passenger ferry on San Francisco Bay, until its delivery. Intended service for the vessel will be as a tour/sightseeing vessel in Southeast Alaska. Also, Pacific Northwest Aggregates, Inc., has taken delivery of 250 x 76 x 16.7 ft. ocean deck barge St. John, from Crowley Marine Service. The 5,970 tdw barge was originally built in 1976 by Todd Shipyards, Inc.

Crowley Marine Services christened the fourth of its new Harbor-Class tractor tugs in January. Faye Plummer performed the time-honored tradition of christening Leader. Leader is the fourth of six 105-ft. Harbor-Class tractor tugs designed and constructed for Vessel Management Services, Inc. (VMS), a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary. VMS has entered into a long-term bareboat charter of Leader to Crowley Marine Services. Each of the six ship assist and escort tugs feature Voith Schneider twin cycloidal propulsion and a hydrofoil-shaped skeg that provides greatly improved steering, control and seakeeping ability when the vessel is running at high speeds in the skeg-first direction.

In terms of new deliveries, the West Coast ferry industry will probably not see another period to match the past 18 months for some time. All three of the large government-operated ferry systems in the Pacific Northwest - Washington State, BC Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway System - received new tonnage, as did a number of smaller operators along the coast. Still under construction are two high-speed vehicle-carrying catamarans for BC Ferries and a single passenger-only high-speed cat for Washington State. In addition, the Nichols Bros. yard at Freeland, Wash. is completing a 40-knot catamaran for operation between southern California and Catalina Island, and a second 35-knot cat for deployment in Alaska by the Brad Phillips organization.