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 the builder has won a contract to construct a 40- by 17-foot U.S. Navy Workboat Large. 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.
Rendering showing tug above and below the waterline (Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy)Rendering showing the 40-foot tug running (Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy)Snow Boat Works are in the process of building all 12 of the nozzles for their six-boat order. The center inserts assure that the 42-inch type 37 nozzles keep their perfect shape until welded into the stern component in the background. They also aid in the alignment of shafts. (Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)(Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)Brett Snow built a reputation for Snow & Company Boatbuilding and Fabrication with a variety of quality-built aluminum vessels and has now added steel boat fabrication with a similar attention to detail. (Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)Rendering showing tug above and below the waterline (Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy)Rendering showing the 40-foot tug running (Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy)Snow Boat Works are in the process of building all 12 of the nozzles for their six-boat order. The center inserts assure that the 42-inch type 37 nozzles keep their perfect shape until welded into the stern component in the background. They also aid in the alignment of shafts. (Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)(Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)Brett Snow built a reputation for Snow & Company Boatbuilding and Fabrication with a variety of quality-built aluminum vessels and has now added steel boat fabrication with a similar attention to detail. (Photos: Haig-Brown/Cummins)
Propulsion power will be a pair of Cummins QSM11 mains each developing 455 mhp at 2,100 RPM. This power will give the vessel a bollard push of 22,000 pounds or a speed of nine 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.