(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine (AAM) has been awarded a contract for a 74-foot aluminum catamaran that will patrol state waters and international waters along the California coast for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
The twin-engine, fixed-propeller patrol vessel will be built to U.S. Coast Guard standards. The hydrofoil-assisted vessel, from Teknicraft Design, will combine features critical to modern maritime law enforcement and is based on Captain Murchison, built by All American Marine for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
One feature is Teknicraft’s rapid RHIB launching and retrieval system. This feature, integrated into the stern of the vessel, will increase safety and reduce the time and manpower required to deploy the vessel’s rigid hull inflatable boat. It will allow for deployment and retrieval in under 1 minute.
Additional vessel features include an advanced electronics package that includes a FLIR M400 XR high-resolution thermal Imaging video with tracking to assist with patrol
duties.
“We are excited to announce another contract for this innovative build at AAM,” said Ron Wille, president and chief operating officer at All American Marine. “Our key mission is to build the most technologically advanced vessels in the world, and we have already started working on this state-of-the-art patrol vessel. The custom Teknicraft rapid RHIB deployment system will be critical to the CDFW’s patrol and conservation efforts, and we are excited for them to utilize it in California waters.”
The mission of the CDFW is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological value
and for their use and enjoyment by the public. The mission of the Law Enforcement Division of the CDFW is to protect California natural resources and provide public safety.
The semi-displacement catamaran hull for this vessel was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The design integrates a Teknicraft hull shape and is complemented by Teknicraft’s signature integration of a wave piercer that is positioned between the catamaran sponsons to break up wave action and ensure reduced drag while conducting research missions.
For the operator, one of the most valuable features of this vessel is the excellent fuel economy. With a 2,000-gallon capacity, long-range performance was critical to the design process of the vessel.
– All American Marine
