Kvichak Marine Industries (a Vigor Industrial Company headquartered in Fremont,) recently delivered the first in an order of three Bristol Bay boats, and has recently been awarded a contract for two all-aluminum 400 passenger-only ferries.
A product of the Kvichak design team, the newly designed all-aluminum Bristol Bay boats is a 32’ long gillnetter similar to those Kvichak started building back in 1987. Providing a top speed of 35 knots, this new Kvichak design combines shallow draft capability (25” light, 35” full) with short transit times to the line, an ability to maintain planning speed when partially loaded, and the unique top house arrangement maximizes creature comforts while maintaining a large, efficient working deck – with accommodations for 5 crew.
Kvichak also received a contract from the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) in San Francisco for two all-aluminum, 400 passenger-only ferries. “The whole Kvichak team is incredibly proud to have been selected to build WETA’s two new state-of-the-art ferries, said Keith Whittemore, President of Kvichak. “We will build two great boats that will serve the citizens of the Bay Area for decades.” Designed by Incat Crowther, of Australia, the 135’ x 38’ all-aluminum catamarans will feature bicycle storage and be capable of a top speed of 27 knots. Kvichak awarded Nichols Brothers Boat Builders the subcontract to provide the bolt-on superstructure for the project. From 2007 to 2010, the two companies collaborated on the delivery of four 118’ environmentally friendly ferries to WETA, currently in service in the San Francisco Bay area. The vessels will be the 700th and 701st vessels built by Kvichak and are anticipated to be in service the summer of 2017.
For additional information on the boats engineered by Kvichak, contact the company (located at 469 NW Bowdoin Place) at 206/545-8485 or sales@kvichak.com