Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. has secured a contract for construction of a 60’ aluminum catamaran research vessel for the California Department of Water Resources.
The 18.3 meters long vessel is designed by Incat Crowther, Australia with design guidance and customer representation by Jensen Maritime Consultants.
The vessel’s primary application will be monitoring water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macro-invertebrates. The vessel will be operating in the San Francisco Bay Estuary, San Pablo Bay Estuary and the Pacific Ocean within five miles of shore and the adjoining inland waterways.
The research vessel will be powered by twin Cummins QSB6.7 diesel engines rated for 425hp @ 2800 rpm and fitted to Twin Disc MGX5065 marine gears. The pilot house laboratory has a full complement of scientific water monitoring equipment along with overnight accommodations for 5 scientists.
Delivery is scheduled for early 2016.