By Mark Edward Nero
Seattle-based Kvichak Marine Industries, a Vigor Industrial subsidiary, has delivered a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium C (RB-M C) to a long-time customer, the New York Police Department’s harbor unit.
The Kvichak RB-M C is the commercial variant of the Response Boat - Medium (RB-M), purpose built for the US 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 commercial variant offers more crew comfort and amenities than the RB-M but features the same exacting capabilities needed for maritime security.
Kvichak has built six RB-M Cs for three different police departments to date and is in active negotiations for more, at home and abroad, according to Vigor Business Development Manager Art Parker.
Key characteristics of the RB-M C include an overall length of 44 feet, 11 inches; an overall beam of 14 feet, seven inches, a three-foot draft; two Detroit Diesel 60 series engines; twin Disc MG5114SC marine gears; a top speed of 40 knots; and a 495-gallon fuel capacity.
Since its acquisition by Vigor in early 2015, Kvichak has steadily expanded both its production capabilities and its international footprint in high performance vessels.
“One of the most exciting aspects of our merger with Vigor has been joining forces with Oregon Iron Works, now Vigor Works,” said Kvichak co-founder Keith Whittemore, who is now Vigor’s executive vice president of business development. “Their Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) and Sealion I and II for the US Navy have earned great respect around the world.”
“Bringing our two highly specialized teams of designers, engineers and builders together has opened up a world of possibility, particularly in foreign military sales,” he said.
This is the fourth response boat delivered to the NYPD by Kvichak. The first three vessels were delivered in April 2010, August 2012 and April 2013, respectively.
