The following is text of a news release from All American Marine (AAM):
(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine Inc., together with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD), have announced the signing of a contract for the construction of an 80-by-27-foot aluminum catamaran for operation in Texas waters as well as offshore capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico. This vessel will be constructed at All American Marine’s new 57,000-square-foot facility on Bellingham Bay.
TPWD selected AAM and Teknicraft Design, widely acknowledged for designing and building high quality and fuel-efficient aluminum vessel designs at a great value. The new vessel will combine innovative design features critical to modern law enforcement on the water. One specific feature is Teknicraft’s rapid RHIB launching system. This feature will increase safety and reduce both the time and manpower required to deploy the vessels’ rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB).
This long-range hydrofoil-assisted catamaran will be powered by twin Caterpillar C18 engines with HamiltonJet HM521 waterjets. The vessel will be constructed to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T standards and designed as a patrol vessel for an offshore on an oceansroute notation.
TPWD is responsible for patrolling state waters of Texas, out to nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. However, TPWD and Texas game wardens also patrol an additional 200 nautical miles into exclusive economic zones through a joint enforcement agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. The Law Enforcement Division of TPWD, based in Austin Texas, “provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect Texas' wildlife, other natural resources, and the environment. The division also provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with applicable state laws and regulations. Texas game wardens are responsible for enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPWD regulations, the Texas Penal Code and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air and water, hazardous materials and human health.”
Texas game wardens are the first line of defense in the state’s and nation's border security initiatives in the Gulf of Mexico. The game wardens needed a vessel capable of operating in adverse sea and weather conditions to fulfill this mission. This new vessel will fill a vital role in the enforcement of environmental and patrolling responsibilities.