Kvichak Marine Industries constructing seven utility boats for US Navy

One of the Kvichak Marine Industries fleet.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, WA, is currently constructing seven MPF/UB-40 utility boats for the United States Navy. The 40’ high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions.

Deliveries for the craft are scheduled from August 2008 – April 2009.  Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Fla., will take delivery of the first three hulls for loading onto a USN Maritime Preposition Force ship and Assault Craft Unit One, San Diego, CA will receive the seventh boat of the contract.

The 40’ x 14’’ landing craft have a loaded cruise speed of ~25 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~40 knots.  The propulsion package includes: twin Cummins QSM11 engines rated for 660hp at 2300 rpm, ZF 325 marine gears, and Hamilton 364 water jets.

To ensure the safety and efficiency of transporting 30 troops, their gear and / or general cargo the craft utilizes a house aft configuration and features a power bow door and high-level engine suctions for beach deployment.

Additional craft features include:
• 6kW Northern Lights gen-set with shore power
• Integrated Furuno Navnet electronics package
• Ship board stowage cradle
• Three weapon mounts for M2 / MK19 and M60E3 weapons
• Manuals and spares packages

Preceding this seven-boat order, Kvichak delivered a run of four MPF / UB-40s to the USN.  Prior to acceptance by the USN a small team inspects the boats at their delivery points.   The Post Delivery Inspection Report drafted by the USN noted only one discrepancy among the four boats that Kvichak corrected for approximately $125.  

For additional information please contact Kvichak Marine Industries, 469 NW Bowdoin Place, Seattle, WA, USA; telephone (206) 545-8485; FAX (206) 545-3504; E-mail: sales@kvichak.com; web site: www.kvichak.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff