The following is text of a news release from All American Marine (AAM):
(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine has delivered the second of three low-wake and high-speed passenger vessels for Kitsap Transit. Reliance, an aluminum catamaran with a composite superstructure, was launched in Bellingham on March 6 and has been undergoing sea trials and wake-wash testing this past month. During these test periods and in a light laden condition, the crew observed the vessel capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots. The vessel was designed by Teknicraft in Auckland, New Zealand, and will operate on Kitsap’s current cross-sound ferry route between Bremerton and downtown Seattle.
The design of the new vessel was based upon the successful ultra-low-wake Rich Passage 1 (RP1), built by All American Marine in 2011. AAM, the exclusive builder of Teknicraft Design hulls in North America, was tapped as the sole source to build this vessel. Teknicraft’s patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design is proven to have a low-wake wash energy signature that will not degrade the sensitive shorelines of Rich Passage.
The successful launch of Reliance will provide Kitsap Transit with a backup vessel on the Bremerton-Seattle route. A third sister ship vessel, Lady Swift, is currently under construction at AAM and will launch in summer 2019. “Reliance is not your typical ferry, it was built to be very lightweight and to fly smoothly through the wake sensitive zone,” said Matt Mullett, CEO for All American Marine. “This vessel was strictly modeled on the proven hull design, but additional enhancements and modernizations were added without hampering performance.”
The 78-foot Reliance was designed to mirror Rich Passage 1, with a few upgrades. The vessel will also carry 118 passengers and has registered a service speeds of 37 knots. The addition of air-conditioning units and an improved HVAC system will improve airflow to help reduce cabin temperatures during the summer. AAM constructed the hulls with high tensile strength 5383 aluminum alloy. The passenger cabin and deck were made from composites. The dynamic hydrofoil was molded in carbon fiber and automatically adjusts as the vessel transits Rich Passage. Quad HamiltonJet 403 waterjets and Caterpillar C-18 engines were fit to provide the high-powered propulsion system in compliance with EPA Tier 3 emission regulations. AAM’s craftsmen also utilized lightweight aluminum honeycomb panel materials for finishing the interior spaces and applied high performance bottom paint to help accomplish the speed and wake requirements.
This delivery followed closely on the heels of February’s introduction of Kitsap Transit’s 149-passenger electric hybrid, Waterman. All American Marine’s new shipyard has provided an expanded capacity and production capabilities for both additional and larger vessels.
