Moose Boats Wins Catamaran Crewboats Contract

By Mark Edward Nero

Vallejo, California-based Moose Boats, a subsidiary of Lind Marine, said March 11 that it has been awarded a contract for the construction of a series of 75-foot semi-displacement US Coast Guard Subchapter-T passenger aluminum catamaran crewboats for Westar Marine Services in San Francisco. Production of the first vessel is expected to begin this spring.

According to Northern California-based Lind Marine, the vessels’ propulsion will be provided by twin Volvo D13 turbo diesel engines with Volvo IPS3 drives, giving a service speed of 25 knots and exceptional close quarters maneuverability.

Also, engine, steering and joystick maneuvering controls in both the raised pilothouse and the upper level aft steering station are designed to provide captains with optimal visibility for bow and stern operations.

The vessels will be capable of carrying 28 passengers and 20,000 pounds of cargo to and from anchorages and piers within San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and the Sacramento River Delta as well as offshore.

Westar Marine Services, a women-owned and operated company, has been headquartered in San Francisco since 1976 with a Seattle operation for the past five years. The company’s offerings include marine construction support, tank barge assist and escort, specialty barge services, ship stores deliveries and water taxi services.

Westar has said the new vessels will allow it to expand its cargo and passenger carrying capabilities. Moose Boats designed the cabin superstructure and general arrangement of the vessels in-house with collaborative input from Westar.

Lafayette, Louisiana-based Incat Crowther is providing naval architecture services for the final design.

Moose Boats Delivers Police Catamaran

By Mark Edward Nero

Moose Boats, a vessel designer and manufacturer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has delivered a M2-35 catamaran patrol boat to the Placer County Sheriff's Office in Carnelian Bay, Calif.

The new Marine 6, a 35-foot all-aluminum catamaran vessel with a beam of 13 feet and draft of 34 feet, will replace the Placer County Sheriff's former Marine 6, a 28 foot aluminum monohull vessel which has been in service since 1988.

Propulsion of the new vessel is provided by twin Yamaha 350-horsepower four stroke outboard engines that give the vessel a top speed of 42 knots at 6,200 feet above sea level on Lake Tahoe and 45 knots at sea level.

Also, the cabin interior is outfitted to facilitate emergency medical services and has an enclosed head, a small galley and a work surface.

Other dimensions and equipment include a range of 240 nautical miles; fuel capacity of 240 gallons; and a cruising speed of 30 knots.

The Placer County Sheriff says it utilized California Division of Boating and Waterways funding to assist in the purchase of the vessel, which will have wide ranging duties, including year-round patrol on Lake Tahoe.

“The Marine 6 crew’s primary responsibilities include enforcement of state and federal maritime law and California penal and vehicle codes,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Commonly, you will find the crew conducting boating under the influence investigations, vessel collision investigations and less often, death investigations.”

The crew can also be called to assist with search and rescue operations, locate missing or overdue boaters, provide medical aid and transport, and assist vessels in distress: sinking, mechanical failure, etc., according to the Sheriff’s Office.