Kvichak Marine Industries Inc News

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc, a Vigor Industrial Company, delivered the first of three new Bristol Bay boats. The new, top house design all-aluminum 32’ x 16’ jet propelled gillnetter is a product of the Kvichak design team and is powered by twin Volvo D11 EVEC-E engines rated for 510 BHP coupled to ZF 305-3 marine gears and  Hamilton HJ364 water jets providing a top speed of 35 knots. This new Kvichak design combines shallow draft capability with short transit times to the line, and the ability to maintain planning speed when partially loaded.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. was recently awarded a contract for construction of a 60’ aluminum catamaran research vessel for the California Department of Water Resources designed by Incat Crowther, Australia with design guidance and customer representation by Jensen Maritime Consultants. The vessel’s primary application will be monitoring water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macro-invertebrates. The vessel will be operating in the San Francisco Bay Estuary, San Pablo Bay Estuary and the Pacific Ocean within five miles of shore and the adjoining inland waterways.

Proliferation of energy related transport continues to drive commercial U.S. As the United States aims towards energy independence by the end of this decade, domestic shipyards and vessels owners are reaping rewards from this most unexpected turn of events. Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, has been the main (and well publicized) culprit in the rapid turn of events. While the proliferation of gas has been widely known for years, the presence of oil, in quantity, was a pleasant…

Kvichak Marine Industries Inc. responds quickly to new customer requirements, works with potential customers to develop complete specifications, and ultimately delivers the best suited product for the mission. Kvichak builds a variety of vessels for multiple Federal agencies as well as state and local municipalities. To effectively maintain Kvichak’s reputation as a world-class boat builder, Kvichak currently has four divisions, Headquarters/Seattle Facility, Response Boat Medium Division, KMI Leasing Company, LLC, Kvichak/Marco Pollution Control, and Flashmark Tech cutting facility.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. recently delivered a multi-mission 66’ all-aluminum Shallow Draft Crab and Salmon Tender to the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC). The vessel was christened the Paul C. Johnson in honor of the late Paul “Koublou” Charles Johnson of Unalakleet, AK at a ceremony at Fisherman’s Terminal in Seattle. Designed by Kvichak Marine to the mission specifications of NSEDC, the 66’ x 25’ vessel is intended for very shallow draft crab and salmon tendering operations in the Norton Sound region, and will draw just 4’-6” when fully loaded.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. announced the start of a production run of 32’ Bristol Bay Gillnetters for the 2015 season. This new, top house design all-aluminum 32’ x 16’ jet propelled gillnetter is a product of the Kvichak design team and will be powered by twin Volvo D11 EVEC-E engines rated for 510 BHP coupled to ZF 305-3 marine gears and  Hamilton HJ364 water jets. This fresh design will combine shallow draft capability with short transit times to the line, and the ability to maintain planning speed when partially loaded. The unique top house arrangement maximizes creature comforts while maintaining a large efficient working deck.

The 95’ BHT-150 hovercraft SUNAX, built by Kvichak Marine Industries and owned and operated by Aleutians East Borough, is for sale through public competitive bid. The hovercraft will be sold through a sealed bid process. An IFB package will be available May 15, 2014, copies will be provided upon request. The bid due date is June 10, 2014. The sale includes spare equipment/materials. The hovercraft is available for inspection by interested parties in Akutan, Alaska. Builder . . . . . . . Designer . . . . . . . . Griffon Hoverwork, Ltd. Length (overall) . . . . . . . . . . . Beam (overall) . . .

Building programs continue, spanning the full range of missions, despite budget concerns. Amidst all the talk of Beltway budget cutbacks and sequestration, the U.S. Coast Guard is quietly investing approximately $30 billion in major acquisition projects to modernize its physical assets. The process of recapitalizing these older and difficult-to-maintain assets has never been an easy task, and the Coast Guard has seen its share of bumps along the way. For example, the initially messy Deepwater debacle initially kicked off what has evolved into today’s more successful recapitalization process, now run by the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Directorate, which stood up in July 2007.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. was recently awarded a contract by Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) to build an all-aluminum 66’ Shallow Draft Tender to be used for multiple fisheries in and around Norton Sound, Ak.  Designed by Kvichak Marine, the 66’ x 25’ tender will be powered by twin Cummins QSM11 marine diesel engines rated for 450 BHP at 2100 RPM. The engines are coupled to ZF 360 transmissions that drive NiBrAl four-blade propellers.  Delivery is scheduled for the spring of 2014. kvichak.com

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., recently delivered PV Georgia, a 64' all-aluminum Pilot Boat to the Savannah Pilots Association of Savannah, Ga. Georgia is the second vessel built by Kvichak for the Savannah Pilots. Designed by Camarc Design, U.K., Georgia is powered by twin MTU 12V2000 engines rated for 1,450 BHP each with Hamilton 521 waterjets and ZF 3050 marine gears. Kvichak said this combination allows for excellent maneuverability with a top speed of approximately 35 knots.

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.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. recently delivered fifteen 30’ Rapid Response Skimmers to the U.S. Navy. With the addition of these skimmers the Navy will be operating over 85 Kvichak-built skimmers worldwide as the Navy’s tier one response asset. The rapid-response, shallow-water capable skimmer is ideally suited for use on oil spills in waterways, bays and harbors. The all-aluminum skimmer is 30’ – 3” long, with a beam of 9’-8’, and a draft of 2’ - 6", and is easily trailerable.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, WA, was recently awarded a contract to build a 64' all-aluminum Pilot Boat for the Savannah Pilots Association of Savannah, GA. For more than 140 years, the Savannah Pilots Association has safely guided vessels on the 25 ½ mile journey from the sea to the port of Savannah. They require vessels with excellent sea keeping ability and maneuverability even in the worst of sea conditions, and again they are turning to Kvichak. Designed by Camarc Design…

Kvichak Marine, Industries, Inc. was recently awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for fifteen (15) 30’ Rapid Response Skimmers to be delivered to various Navy bases over the next 12 months. The Navy currently owns and operates over 70 Kvichak-built skimmers worldwide as the Navy’s tier one response asset. The rapid-response, shallow-water capable skimmer is ideally suited for use on oil spills in waterways, bays and harbors. The all-aluminum skimmer is 30.3  ft. long, with a beam of 9.6 ft., and a draft of 2.5 ft., and is easily trailerable.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., was recently awarded a contract by the United States Navy for the construction of five each MPF utility boats following the successful delivery of 26 vessels since February 2006. The 40-ft high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40-ft by 14-ft landing craft have a loaded flank speed of ~38 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~42 knots.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. recently launched and completed sea trials for M/V Defender V, a new design all-aluminum foil assisted catamaran. Designed by Kvichak Marine, this 57.8-ft vessel can be used as a fast response patrol boat, survey boat, crew boat or general work boat. The Defender V is powered by twin Scania DI12 69M marine diesel engines rated for 691 BHP at 2300 RPM. The engines are coupled to ZF 360A transmissions that drive Michigan propellers. In trials, the Defender V was able to achieve a flank speed of 30+ knots.

Kvichak Marine, Industries, Inc. recently constructed and delivered a 25.7 ft push boat to Seattle City Light  for operation with the service barge at the Diablo Dam in the North Cascades. This Kvichak Marine design is constructed of marine grade aluminum alloy plate and extrusions. Two vertical push knees are located at the bow. The knees are padded by six inch D-section rubber. A 1,500 lb davit with manual winch is mounted on the stern. The push boat is powered by twin John Deere 330 hp turbo charged diesel engines with stainless steel props in enclosed nozzles…

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., was recently awarded a five year contract by the U.S. Coast Guard for the construction of up to 80 each Transportable Port Security Boats (TPSB). The all-aluminum vessels are operated by a crew of four and include shock mitigating seats to minimize crew fatigue on extended missions. Ballistic Armor Protection and up to four mounted weapons provide increased mission capability and crew safety during tactical operations. The 32.8-ft vessels will be replacing the USCG’s current aging fleet of smaller, outboard powered fiberglass boats.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, WA, recently delivered five Military Preposition Force (MPF) utility boats to the United States Navy, completing their final contract order. Kvichak has delivered a total of 33 MPFs to the Navy since February 2006. The 40’ high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40’ x 14’ landing craft have a loaded flank speed of ~38 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~42 knots.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, WA, was awarded a five year contract by the U.S. Coast Guard for the construction of up to 80 each Transportable Port Security Boats (TPSB) in 2011. Kvichak recently delivered the 30th hull of this contract to the USCG. The all-aluminum vessels are operated by a crew of 4 and include shock mitigating seats to minimize crew fatigue on extended missions. Ballistic Armor Protection and up to 4 mounted weapons provide increased mission capability and crew safety during tactical operations.

Seattle, WA – Kvichak Marine Industries Inc. was recently awarded a contract by Puget Sound Energy to design and build one each 32’ and 38’ Marine Transport Vessels for PSE’s Baker River Hydroelectric Project. The vessels will be used at a new downstream fish-passage facility PSE is constructing behind the utility’s Lower Baker Dam to further enhance fish populations in the Skagit-Baker watershed in northwest Washington. The transport vessels will be utilized to transport personnel…

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. is currently constructing a third generation foil assisted all-aluminum patrol catamaran. Designed by Kvichak Marine, this 57.8 ft vessel can be used as a fast response patrol boat, survey boat, crew boat or general work boat. The hull and superstructure will be constructed of marine-grade aluminum alloy plate and extrusions. A square A-frame with hydraulic winch is located on the aft deck and will facilitate launch and recovery of skiffs/ROVs and fit around an over height 8-ft wide container. A davit is located aft with 500# SWL manual winch.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., recently delivered three MPF/UB-40 utility boats for the U.S. Navy. Two remaining boats in the five boat order are under construction. A total of 21 vessels have already been delivered to the Navy and are in operation. The 40-ft high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40-ft x 14-ft landing craft have a loaded flank speed of about 38 knots and a lightened flank speed of about 42 knots.