The U.S. Navy recently awarded Kvichak Marine Industries, the boat builder headquartered in Fremont, a contract 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” long, with a beam of 9’-8’, and a draft of 2’ – 6″, and is easily trailerable. Powered by twin 90hp outboards, the skimmer has a response speed of up to 17 knots and features an enclosed two person pilothouse for operator comfort.
Adaptable to a variety of marine spill scenarios, this highly specialized vessel works well in many recovery configurations, from free skimming through towed-boom applications, and is able to recover a very wide range of spills from light sheens to very viscous weathered oil products. The skimmer’s oil recovery system includes a KVICHAK/MARCO Cl-1 Filterbelt oil skimming module, a KVICHAK/MARCO U-040 Capsulpump offload system with 50’ hose, and a recovered oil capacity of over 1,200 gallons. The recovered oil tank configuration allows segregation of small volume spills to simplify post-spill decontamination. Onboard hydraulic power is supplied by an under-deck diesel HPU.
Additional information about rapid-response skimmers and other aluminum water craft can be found through Kvichak Marine Industries, at 206/545-8485 or at sales@kvichak.com.