(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine (AAM) has announced that it is constructing a sister ship to Chugach Express for Phillips Cruises & Tours. Building on the performance of Chugach Express, the new high-speed, long-range eco-tour vessel will operate daily in Prince William Sound and be home-ported in Whittier, Alaska.
Developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design, the 84-by-31-foot aluminum passenger vessel features a next-generation semi-displacement catamaran hull. Equipped with a propulsion package comprised of four MJP 350X waterjets, powered by quad Scania DI16 082M engines, each rated at 800 hp, the new vessel is being built around achieving optimal performance and reliability for years to come.
The vessel integrates Teknicraft’s proprietary, dynamic aluminum hydrofoil system that enhances stability, reduces drag, and delivers superior performance at speed. Constructed to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T classification standards, the newbuild will feature a 1,600-gallon fuel capacity, facilitating extended daily operations.
With a capacity of up to 150 passengers, the vessel will further expand Phillips Cruises & Tours’ ability to deliver world-class sightseeing experiences in Prince William Sound.
“After seeing how the Chugach Express performs in real-world service, moving forward with a sister ship felt like a very natural next step,” said Casey Neumann, managing partner of Phillips Cruises & Tours. “The vessel has truly exceeded our expectations, from ride quality and speed to fuel efficiency and the overall guest experience. Working with All American Marine and Teknicraft has been seamless, and we’re excited to add another vessel of this caliber to our fleet.”
– All American Marine
