By Mark Edward Nero
Bellingham, Washington-based All American Marine has been awarded a contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of a new hydrofoil supported aluminum catamaran survey vessel, the Army Corps said Feb. 22.
The new vessel is expected to replace the 46-year-old survey boat Shuman, and primarily perform survey missions and some dive operations in support of dredging work planned within the Corps’ Philadelphia district.
The as yet unnamed 68- by 26-foot custom aluminum catamaran will be designed by Auckland, New Zealand firm Teknicraft Design, Ltd., for whom All American Marine is the exclusive in North America builder.
The aluminum hull will feature the Teknicraft Design signature hull shape with symmetrical bow, asymmetrical tunnel and integrated wave piercer. A custom aluminum hydrofoil will be fit to span between the sponsons to generate lift of the semi displacement hulls and enhance performance.
Power for the propeller driven vessel will be provided by a pair of Caterpillar C18 diesel engines rated at 1,001 BHP at 2,300 rpm, with an EPA Tier III emissions rating. Auxiliary power will be supplied via twin Northern Lights C40M.3 40.kW generators. The vessel will have a cruise speed of 28 knots.
The vessel’s suite of deck gear includes a hydraulic A-frame, davit, scientific winch, and moon pool with deployable sonar strut. Dive platforms will be fit to the transom of each sponson.
This latest contract follows the delivery of the 62-foot Florida II, a foil assisted survey vessel that All American Marine was previously awarded to build for the US Army Corp’s Jacksonville, Fla. district.
