Vancouver, Washington-based marine engine company Pacific Power Group is powering a new custom-built vessel for whale watching with Volvo Penta engines, engine monitoring and throttle controls that’s expected to improve passengers’ experience.
PPG’s marine team is powering the Salish Sea Dream for Prince of Whales, a Vancouver-based company providing whale watching excursions. The vessel is being fitted with four Volvo Penta D13-700 Inboard turbo diesel engines that will each supply 700 HP at 2,300 RPM, providing faster acceleration and better ability to maintain high top speed.
PPG said the vessel’s Volvo Penta engines also offer the Salish Sea Dream dependability, low weight and fuel consumption, lower operating costs and the reliability demanded for tour operations. The company said the engines were also selected for their environmental benefits with low exhaust emissions, certified to US EPA Tier 3 commercial marine and IMO II standards.
Further environmental benefits, according to PPG, are a longer engine oil change interval of 1,000 hours, reducing oil usage and waste oil management in addition to significant cost savings for the operator.
Pacific Power Group said it also supplied Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Controls (EVC) and throttle controls to complement the propulsion system.
The Salish Sea Dream is currently under construction at Armstrong Marine’s Port Angeles, Washington location. Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architects designed the vessel, which is expected to hold up to 94 passengers.
The Salish Sea Dream is expected to launch and be delivered in May 2016.
