EBDG Offers Production Support for Landing Craft Designs

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) has added two more projects to its portfolio, furthering its experience providing production support to landing craft vessels. The Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm delivered production support detail drawings for Kvichak Marine Industries' design of 10 MPF utility boats for the U.S. Navy. The 40-ft. high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy's existing LCM-8 craft as part of its Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of the pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. Because of the large number of identical boats being constructed, EBDG tailored their work package to support an assembly line production approach. EBDG delivered three-dimensional isometric assembly drawings of all machinery and system components, pipes, and fittings to the builder in lieu of the more typical two-dimensional drawings; offering Kvichak a more realistic perspective of the parts involved and their assembly.

The 40 x 14 ft. landing craft have a loaded cruise speed of about 25 knots and a lightened flank speed of about 40 knots. Two vessels have already been built, with two more currently under production. All 10 craft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2006, with an option for more vessels in 2008. EBDG is also providing lofting and engineering support to Allen Marine Inc. of Sitka, Alaska. Allen was recently awarded the construction contract for a shallow water roll on/roll off passenger and vehicle ferry for use by Katmai National Park and Preserve. Designed by Juneau-based Coastwise Corporation, the 65-foot vessel has a beam of 21 feet, travels at eight knots, operates with a crew of two and carries 10 passengers. The shallow river and beach landing sites on Alaska's Naknek river and lake called for a low-draft vessel with a unique design. The vessel is designed to be stored during the winter on two keels on each side of the hull. Fully loaded, the vessel draws just over three feel of water. EBDG has provided production support for other Coastwise/Allen Marine vessels, including a 48-ft. catamaran and an 88-ft. catamaran.