(SEATTLE) — From powerful seine skiffs for the Alaskan salmon fishery to sturdy and practical crew boats for the safe transfer of workers on marine construction jobs, Snow Boat Building has been attracting attention on the West Coast. Based in Seattle, the firm is known for its quality aluminum fabrication and general commercial boat repair.
Recently it won a contract to construct a 40-by-17-foot workboat for the U.S. Navy. The small, heavily built steel vessel with aluminum superstructure will be operated by a crew of two and have capacity for up to five passengers. It will have a capacity for a 3,100-pound total payload.
Propulsion power will be a pair of Cummins QSM11 mains each developing 455 hp at 2,100 RPM. This power will give the vessel a bollard push of 22,000 pounds or a speed of 9 knots.
As a naval shore installation support vessel, the workboat will be capable of assisting barges, submarines and other naval vessels. It can also be employed in opening and closing security barriers or to tow/push other floating port support equipment.
– Alan Haig-Brown
