All American Marine to build 500-passenger tour boat

Aam Argosystbdfwdtopview

The following is the text of a news release from All American Marine:

(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine Inc. (AAM), together with Argosy Cruises of Seattle, has announced the signing of a contract for the construction of a 125-foot aluminum monohull for operation in Puget Sound’s Elliott Bay.

This project will mark the first keel laid at All American Marine’s new shipyard currently under construction in Squalicum Harbor at the north edge of Bellingham Bay. AAM will open the new 57,000-square-foot boatbuilding facility in January 2017. The Port of Bellingham is developing the new site to further support AAM’s ability to take on and pursue larger vessel projects with hulls over 100 feet in length alongside its regular production of midsized monohulls and catamarans.

The new monohull will be certified under the latest U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter K regulations to carry 500 passengers. Argosy selected Teknicraft for the fuel-efficient aluminum vessel design. 

Argosy intends to primarily deploy the new vessel on a route to ferry passengers between its Seattle waterfront location at Pier 55 and its long-standing concession at Tillicum Village on Blake Island State Park. The Tillicum Excursion provides visitors with a Northwest Native American cultural experience inclusive of a narrated cruise, traditional-style dining in a cedar longhouse, and live stage performance. The vessel will also be adaptable to provide private event charters, as well as join Argosy’s Christmas Ship Festival fleet.

While on board, passengers will enjoy panoramic windows from both the main deck and second deck cabins. The versatile floor plans of each cabin will offer both fixed and configurable interior seating, elevator accessibility, and fully-equipped service bars. The second deck aft viewing veranda and spacious bow foredeck will provide platforms for capturing selfies or snapshots of Mount Rainier and the Seattle cityscape. The upper deck features a 360-degree viewing experience, complete with elevated observation and ceremony platform.

The vessel will be powered with twin Scania DI 16-080M engines and auxiliary power will be supplied via Northern Lights 65 kW and 40 kW generators. “We have been working hard to reach this point and are truly excited about the comprehensive design and features that this new boat will offer to Argosy while moving the bar for our future designs," said AAM’s CEO, Matt Mullett.

By Professional Mariner Staff