Kvichak Marine Industries has been awarded a contract to build two pilot vessels for the Crescent River Port Pilots (CRPPA) of Louisiana.
The Crescent River pilots operate between Pilot Town and New Orleans on the Mississippi River. Delivery for the first vessel is scheduled for May 2012 and the second vessel in September 2012.
Designed by Kvichak, the all-aluminum vessels will be 15.9 metres in length overall and 4.7 metres across the beam, with a draught of 0.7 metres. They will be powered by twin 447kW Detroit Diesel 60 series engines coupled to Twin Disc MG5114SC marine gears, driving Hamilton 364 waterjets, allows for excellent manoeuvrability and a top speed of around 32 knots. Equipped for a crew of two and four passengers, the vessels will feature a Wing Hybrid fendering system and a roof boarding platform specifically designed for the CRPPA.
