The following is the text of a news release from Kvichak Marine Industries:
(SEATTLE) — Kvichak Marine Industries recently delivered Astoria, a self-righting 74' all-aluminum pilot boat, to the Columbia River Bar Pilots (CRBP) of Astoria, Ore. Astoria is the third CRBP pilot boat designed by Camarc Ltd. of the UK and built by Kvichak. The pilots christened Astoria at a ceremony last week where the vessel has joined Columbia, built in 2008. Chinook, built in 2000, is retiring this spring.
The pilots operate the vessels over the bar at the mouth of the Columbia River. Known for its extreme weather and turbulent waters, the Columbia River bar is where the Columbia River collides with the Pacific Ocean. The resulting conditions require reliable, stable and self-righting pilot boats that safely and successfully transport pilots to and from the ships and tugs that navigate across the bar.
Power for the 75’-6” x 21’-6” Astoria is provided by twin MTU 16V2000 M70 marine diesel engines rated for 1410 BHP @ 2100 RPM and twin ZF 3050 electric shift transmissions. The engines are coupled to a pair of Hamilton 651 waterjets. Top speed is ~29 knots; cruise speed is ~25 knots.
Additional vessel features include:
• Overall length: 75’ 6”
• Beam, overall: 21’ 6”
• Draft: 3’ 6”
• Fuel capacity: 1,655 gallons
• Top speed: ~29 knots
• Extensive Furuno electronics package
• (2) Kohler 40kW gensets
• Climate controlled pilothouse
• 2 crew, 4 pilots
• Accommodations for 2
• Popsafe fendering
• Rescue davit w/ 500lb SWL capacity
