Harbor Unit News

U.S. shipbuilder Vigor said it has begun constructing a fifth 45’ Response Boat - Medium C (RB-M C) for its long-time customer, the New York Police Department (NYPD) Harbor Unit. The vessel will be fabricated at Vigor Ballard (formerly Kvichak Marine) in the Seattle metro area with delivery expected in November. It will be the seventh RB-M C built for three different police departments. The RB-M C is the commercial variant of the Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) designed by Vigor in partnership with Camarc Design for high speed and high performance…

Private partnerships, executed perfectly – that’s West Coast boatbuilding in today’s challenging business climates. P3 Partnerships: no, we’re not talking about infrastructure funding. But, in our P3 version, boatbuilding in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska is alive and well, because of it. Long-standing enterprises and relative newcomers are all experiencing an uptick in projects. Here, as part of our annual MN100 top company profiles, we take a look at how three organizations have either merged and/or partnered with complementary companies to expand skills…

Kvichak, a Vigor company, delivered a fourth, 45-foot Response Boat - Medium C (RB-M C) to its longtime customer, the New York Police Department Harbor Unit. The Kvichak RB-M C is the commercial variant of the Response Boat - Medium (RB-M), purpose built for the U.S. Coast Guard. To date, 174 RB-Ms have been delivered to the Coast Guard. The vessel was designed by Kvichak in partnership with Camarc Design for high speed and high performance, including tactical handling and specialized mission capabilities, the shipbuilder said.

Kvichak Marine Industries, a Vigor Company, is currently constructing the fourth 44.5-foot Response Boat Medium – C (RB-M C) for the New York Police Department (NYPD) Harbor Unit. The first three vessels were delivered in April 2010, August 2012 and April 2013. The RB-M C’s have been providing maritime security and law enforcement along with search and rescue in the New York metropolitan area. “The RB-M C has proven itself in the most challenging missions,” said Art Parker, Vigor sales manager. These all-aluminum vessels are designed by Camarc Design, U.K.

U.S. companies continue to land lucrative contracts with domestic and foreign customers for vessels that are designed or specially customized to meet defense, police and anti-piracy needs. Governments here and abroad, meanwhile, continue to cut budgets. Many of the security craft to be delivered this year are built to save energy, reduce emissions and reach higher speeds and greater cruising ranges than their predecessors. They have the latest tracking and communications systems. And a few new vessels are remotely operated.

With more than a dozen patrol boats and a fireboat built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, operating in New York Harbor, the Somerset, Mass., shipyard delivered a third 61-foot patrol/rescue boat to the New York Harbor Unit. Two 70-footers are also being built for the NYPD harbor patrol. Measuring 61.6 feet on deck with a 17-foot beam and 3-foot draft, the boat was designed by C. Raymond Hunt and features the shipyard’s popular Chesapeake Class pilot boat deep-V hull.

Boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, Moose Boats, said it has delivered a M2-35 Catamaran Patrol Boat to New York City Police Department’s Harbor Unit. The 35 foot all-aluminum catamaran vessel is a sister ship to NYPD’s three existing Moose Boats M2- 35 catamarans, the first of which has been in service since December 2009. The vessel will be responsible for patrol, search and rescue, recovery and dive operations in New York Harbor and the East and Hudson Rivers. Propulsion is achieved by twin Yamaha 350hp four-stroke outboards, and a Northern Lights generator powers integrated heated decks and windows as well as reverse cycle air conditioning.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a report of a barge taking on water in the vicinity of New York Harbor, today. At approximately 12:17 p.m., a communication watchstander at Coast Guard Sector New York received notification from the commercial tug Patricia that the barge it’s pushing was taking on water. A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station New York, Cutter Hawser and New York Police Department’s Harbor unit conducted dewatering operations and escorted the vessel to Claremont, N.J. The barge is carrying 400 tons of recycled plastic. There are no reports of pollution from the barge.

With more than a dozen patrol boats and a fireboat built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation and operating in New York Harbor, the NYPD’s Harbor Unit turned again to the Mass.-based shipyard for five new patrol/rescue boats, three 61-footers and two 70-footers. The first high-speed vessel, outfitted for the harbor unit’s dive team, was delivered November 4. Measuring 61 feet on deck with a 17-foot beam and 3-foot draft, the boat was designed by C. Raymond Hunt and features the shipyard’s popular Chesapeake Class pilot boat deep-V hull.

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, Wash., recently delivered a Response Boat Medium – C to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The 45’ x 14’ 7” RBM-C is the sistership of the highly successful USCG RB-M and has been adapted to meet the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) detection mission requirements of the L.A. County Sheriff’s department. A roof mounted RS-700 Gamma/Neutron Radiation Detection System from RSI enables the vessel to quickly and accurately measure and locate natural and man-made radioactive elements.

Kvichak Marine Industries deliver the 'Patrol 28', a 28’x 9’3” all-aluminum vessel to the Boston Police Department Harbor Unit (BPD). Designed by Kvichak/Amgram Ltd., UK and built by Kvichak Marine, the Patrol 28 is effective for operation in port and coastal waters, including shallow areas. Missions for the Patrol 28 include search and rescue, border patrol and maritime security. Powered by twin Honda 225 hp VTEC outboards, the Patrol 28 cruises at speeds over 45 knots.

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, WA, recently delivered a third 44.5’ Response Boat Medium to the New York Police Department Harbor Unit. The first two RB-M C’s were delivered in April 2010 and August 2012. Both have been providing maritime security and law enforcement along with search and rescue in the New York metropolitan area. These all-aluminum vessels are designed by Camarc Design, UK and powered by tier II compliant twin Detroit Diesel 60 series engines rated for 825 BHP each coupled to Twin Disc MG5114SC marine gears.

The NYPD’s Harbor Unit ordered from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp.,  five new patrol boats, three 61-footers and two 70-footers. The yard has previously built more than a dozen patrol boats and a fireboats for operation in New York Harbor. The first high-speed patrol boat, designed by C. Raymond Hunt and outfitted for the unit’s dive team, features the shipyard’s Chesapeake Class pilot boat deep-V hull. The new boat measures 61-ft. on deck, with a 17-ft. beam and 3-ft. draft. Unique to this hull design is the squared-off bow, with fendering and knees raised above the main deck to facilitate bow landings. The heated forward-leaning windows in the front and the side and aft windows on the flush-mounted pilothouse offer 360-degree visibility of search and rescue operations.

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, WA, recently delivered the second 44.5’ Response Boat Medium – C (RB-M C) to the New York City Police Harbor Unit. The first hull, P.O. Edward Byrne, has been in service since April 2010 providing maritime security and law enforcement along with search and rescue in the New York metropolitan area. A third vessel is currently under construction at Kvichak with delivery scheduled for late October 2012. These all-aluminum vessels are designed by Camarc Design…

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, WA, is currently constructing two 44’11” X 14’7” Response Boat Medium – C (RB-M C) vessels for operation by the New York City Police Harbor Unit (NYPD). Kvichak delivered the first RB-M C, harbor launch #451, to the NYPD in May 2010. These vessels will be part of the NYPD fleet for missions of proactive anti-terrorism patrol, search, rescue and recovery operations. This vessel is the commercial model of the highly successful USCG Response Boat Medium which Kvichak has been building since 2008.

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, WA, has recently been awarded a contract for a 44.5’ X 13.7’ Response Boat Medium – C for operation by the Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit. The RBM-C is the sistership of the highly successful USCG RB-M and has been adapted to meet the mission requirements of the SPD Harbor Patrol Unit. The vessel to be named “Patrol 1” is currently under construction at Kvichak’s Seattle yard and is the 500th hull built by Kvichak Marine over the past 30 years.

Kvichak Marine Industries of Seattle, Wash. has delivered a 44.5-ft by 13.7-ft Response Boat Medium – C for operation by the New York City Police Harbor Unit. This vessel is the sistership of the highly successful USCG Response Boat Medium. The NYPD Harbor Unit vessel has been customized to meet the Harbor Unit’s mission for the successful prosecution of counter terrorism, law enforcement and search and rescue. The vessel is outfitted with a forward cabin that includes a refrigerator, microwave, table and head, which will be more accommodating for longer missions.

Kvichak Marine Industries, of Seattle, Wash., is currently constructing a 44.5-ft by 13.7-ft Response Boat Medium – C for operation by the New York City Police Harbor Unit. This vessel is the sistership of the USCG Response Boat Medium and has been adapted to meet the mission requirements of the NYPD Harbor Unit. The boat will be named at a special dedication ceremony in New York City honoring an officer who was killed in the line of duty. Designed by Camarc Design, UK, the all-aluminum vessel is powered by twin Detroit Diesel 60 series engines rated for 825 bhp each.

A clear, sunny Saturday afternoon of November 10, set the stage for the arrival of the first passenger ship into New York Harbor following the September 11 terrorist attacks. The vessel, Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, sailed into New York for a two-day tribute cruise for the families of the fallen firemen and police officers who were victim to the devastation at the World Trade Center. Royal Caribbean also plans to donate $50,000 to the Twin Towers Relief Fund. The 142,000-ton Adventure of the Seas - sister ship to Voyager and Explorer of the Seas - was christened at Pier 88 and named by representatives of the New York Police Department and New York Fire Department.

SeaArk Marine, Inc. delivered a 35-ft. Dauntless Class patrol/rescue boat to the New York Police Department (NYPD) Harbor Unit. The boat, identified as Launch 35, is responsible for patrol, search and rescue, port security, diving and anti-terrorism activities in New York Harbor and the waters surrounding New York City. The SeaArk 35-ft. Dauntless is constructed of all-welded marine grade aluminum and features a deep vee variable deadrise hull that produces a smooth, dry and stable ride. Launch 35 is powered by twin Caterpillar 3126 inboard diesel engines, each rated @ 420 hp. Additional outfitting includes a Kohler generator, an ICOM VHF/FM radio, a Northstar chart plotter and a Furuno radar. For all-season crew comfort and operation, the boat includes heating and air conditioning.

SeaArk Marine, Inc. delivered a 35-ft. Dauntless Class patrol/rescue boat to the New York Police Department (NYPD) Harbor Unit. The boat, identified as Launch 35, is responsible for patrol, search and rescue, port security, diving and anti-terrorism activities in New York Harbor and the waters surrounding New York City. The SeaArk 35-ft. Dauntless is constructed of all-welded marine grade aluminum and features a deep vee variable deadrise hull that produces a smooth, dry and stable ride. Launch 35 is powered by twin Caterpillar 3126 inboard diesel engines, each rated @ 420 hp. Additional outfitting includes a Kohler generator, an ICOM VHF/FM radio, a Northstar chart plotter and a Furuno radar. For all-season crew comfort and operation, the boat includes heating and air conditioning.