VESSEL REVIEW | Kellutuq – Shallow-draught waterjet patrol boat for Alaska State Troopers

Bay Weld Boats based in Homer, Alaska, has handed over Kellutuq, an aluminium patrol vessel propelled by waterjets, for use by the Alaska State Troopers in Bristol Bay and the surrounding waters of Western Alaska.

The vessel was designed and built in-house on Bay Weld's 36- by 11-foot (11- by 3.4-metre) V-berth cabin hull. The builder's specification sheet lists an LOA of 40 feet (12.2 metres), a figure that takes in the jet units and aft structure beyond the hull designation.

The draught is 22 inches (0.56 metre), which is the central design requirement for a boat intended to work river mouths, sandbars and confined inlets where conventional propeller-driven craft would be restricted.

The hull is welded from 5086 marine-grade aluminium, with 0.25-inch (6.35mm) plating on the bottom and transom and 0.19-inch (4.8mm) plating on the sides. The heavier bottom plating suits a vessel expected to ground on gravel and sand during shallow-water work and beach landings, while the lighter topsides keep weight down where it is not needed for impact resistance.

Proven hull form adapted for waterjet propulsion

Bay Weld owner and President Eric Engebretsen said that the project departed from the yard's usual approach to the platform. This build for the Alaska State Troopers was unique in that the company used its proven 35-foot (11-metre) medium class V-berth cabin patrol vessel platform that has been typically powered by outboards.

The design has been adapted to fit an inboard diesel and waterjet propulsion system with joystick control package. This adaptation allowed the builder to give the troopers a familiar platform to operate with systems commonality, while accommodating the need for a shallow draught and highly manoeuvrable vessel for the area it is intended to patrol.

The commonality point mattered for the operator. The Alaska State Troopers already run Bay Weld hulls, and keeping the same cabin arrangement, deck layout and general handling characteristics reduces training and familiarisation time when crews rotate between boats.

The propulsion change is where the boat differs most from its outboard-powered siblings.

Power comes from two Cummins QSB 6.7L diesels, each rated at 425 hp (320 kW) at 3,000 rpm. Each engine drives a Marine Jet Power UJ305 waterjet through a ZF 280-1 marine gear with a 1.056:1 ratio.

The builder quotes a cruising speed of 26 to 30 knots and a top speed of 35 to 37 knots.

Kellutuq’s high endurance is built around a 500-gallon (1,900-litre) diesel capacity, which Bay Weld said delivers a range of up to 500 nautical miles. Freshwater capacity is 100 gallons (380 litres). Fuel and water are not available at short notice once a patrol leaves Dillingham or Naknek, so both tanks support multi-day operations.

Helm control runs through a Glendinning two-station electronic system with joystick control and a four-inch LCD display at each station. Joystick control of twin waterjets allows the operator to move the boat laterally and rotate it in place, which is useful when coming alongside fishing vessels for inspections in a running tide or holding position near a river mouth.

The two-station layout gives the operator the option of running the boat from the aft position during boardings or deck work.

Hydraulic redundancy is provided by two Eaton 3.8-cubic-inch pumps, each driven from a live PTO on one of the ZF gears. If one engine or pump is lost, the other maintains hydraulic pressure for the jets' steering and reverse buckets. On a boat working remote water where a tow may be many hours away, this redundancy provides a practical safety benefit.

Accommodation configured for low-temperature environments

The cabin is arranged for a crew of four on extended assignment. The forward V-berth carries three bunks and a convertible dinette provides the fourth sleeping position. The galley is described by the builder as full-featured, and there is a head with shower.

A diesel heater provides cabin warmth, allowing the boat to operate in a region where summer overnight temperatures remain low.

Household electrical demand is met by an eight-battery bank supported by a Fisher Panda 5kW diesel generator. The generator allows the crew to run galley appliances, heating and electronics at anchor without running the main engines.

Spacious aft deck and electronics suitable for year-round enforcement

The navigation electronics comprise a Garmin suite built around three GPSMAP 8616xsv multi-function displays, two at the main helm and one at the aft station. The radar is a Fantom 24 dome, and the sounder package combines SideVÜ and conventional transducers. SideVÜ imaging, more often seen on sport-fishing boats, can help with enforcement tasks such as checking fishing-gear placement or surveying a riverbed.

An autopilot completes the navigation package.

The communications gear include Starlink connectivity alongside police and VHF radio systems, giving the crew data access in areas with little terrestrial coverage.

The working deck aft measures 10 by 13 feet (three by four metres) and is rated for 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of equipment. It carries a pot puller with davit, a transom boarding door, buoy fendering and a gun safe. The pot puller and davit allow troopers to recover fishing gear for inspection or seizure, and the boarding door simplifies the transfer of personnel to and from fishing vessels as the boat takes on enforcement during the Bristol Bay salmon season.