AAM Delivers Fast Ferry for Kitsap

All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) has delivered the second of three low wake and high-speed passenger vessels for Kitsap Transit. 

The Reliance, an aluminum catamaran with a composite superstructure, was launched in Bellingham on March 6, 2019 and has been undergoing sea trials and wake-wash testing this past month.

During these test periods and in a light laden condition, the crew observed the vessel capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots, over 50 mph. The vessel was designed by Teknicraft in Auckland, New Zealand and will operate on Kitsap’s current cross-sound ferry route between Bremerton and downtown Seattle.

The design of the new vessel was based upon the successful ultra-low-wake Rich Passage 1 (RP1), built by All American Marine in 2011. AAM, the exclusive builder of Teknicraft Design hulls in North America, was tapped as the sole source to build this vessel. Teknicraft’s patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design is proven to have industry leading low-wake wash energy signature that will not degrade the sensitive shore lines of Rich Passage.

he successful launch of the Reliance will provide Kitsap Transit with a back-up vessel on the Bremerton-Seattle route. A third sister ship vessel, Lady Swift. is currently under construction at AAM and will launch in summer 2019. “Reliance is not your typical ferry, it was built to be very lightweight and to fly smoothly through the wake sensitive zone,” explains Matt Mullett, CEO for All American Marine. “This vessel was strictly modeled on the proven hull design, but additional enhancements and modernizations were added without hampering performance.”

The 78’ Reliance was designed to mirror the Rich Passage 1, with a few upgrades. The vessel will also carry 118 passengers and has registered a service speeds of 37 knots. The addition of air-conditioning units and an improved HVAC system will improve airflow to help reduce cabin temperatures during the summer.

AAM constructed the hulls with high tensile strength 5383 aluminum alloy. The passenger cabin and deck were made from composites. The dynamic hydrofoil was molded in carbon fiber and automatically adjusts as the vessel transits Rich Passage. Quad Hamilton 403 water jets and Caterpillar C-18 engines were fit to provide the high-powered propulsion system in compliance with EPA Tier III emission regulations. AAM’s craftsmen also utilized lightweight aluminum honeycomb panel materials for finishing the interior spaces and applied high performance bottom paint to help accomplish the speed and wake requirements. A third sister ship, Lady Swift, is currently under construction at All American Marine, and is scheduled to launch in early Summer of 2019.

This delivery followed closely on the heels of February’s introduction of Kitsap Transit’s 149-passenger electric hybrid, Waterman. All American Marine’s new shipyard has provided an expanded capacity and production capabilities for both additional and larger vessels.