Volvo Penta Engines for New Whale Watching Vessel
New whale watching vessel receives Volvo Penta power system from Pacific Power Group; the Salish Sea Dream to be powered with greater reliability, lower noise and fuel consumption
Pacific Power Group (PPG) is powering a new custom-built vessel for whale watching with Volvo Penta engines, engine monitoring and throttle controls that will improve the experience for Prince of Whales passengers.
PPG’s marine team is powering the Salish Sea Dream with four Volvo Penta D13-700 Inboard turbo diesel engines that will each supply 700 HP at 2,300 RPM, providing faster acceleration and better ability to maintain high top speed. This allows Prince of Whales to offer passengers greater whale watching experiences, additional viewing opportunities and extended tours.
The vessel’s Volvo Penta engines also offer the Dream dependability, low weight and fuel consumption, lower operating costs and the reliability demanded for tour operations. The engines were also selected for their environmental benefits with low exhaust emissions, certified to US EPA Tier 3 commercial marine and IMO II standards. Further environmental benefits are achieved with a longer engine oil change interval of 1,000 hours, reducing oil usage and waste oil management in addition to significant cost savings for the operator. PPG also supplied Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Controls (EVC) and throttle controls to complement the propulsion system.
“The Volvo Penta commercial marine engine line has expanded our ability to meet the needs of the commercial market,” said Bill Mossey, vice president of PPG. “With Volvo Penta D13 engines powering the Salish Sea Dream, Prince of Whales will see more uptime and greater reliability that will increase the profitability of their operations.”
The Salish Sea Dream is currently under construction at Armstrong Marine’s Port Angeles, Wash. location. PPG is a longtime partner of Armstrong Marine, who are ISO 9001 certified and trusted to provide high-quality aluminum boats and barges around the world. Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architects designed the vessel which will hold up to 94 passengers and will be compact and maneuverable at 24 meters, allowing the boat to get close to shore for wildlife viewing. The Dream is expected to launch and be delivered in May 2016.
“The Volvo Penta D13 has proven to be a hardy workhorse for commercial operators. With exceptional torque at low RPMs and unmatched fuel efficiency and low emissions, it is the perfect engine to power the Salish Sea Dream for up close viewing of these amazing animals in their natural environment,” said Marcia Kull, vice president of Volvo Penta of the Americas.
