The 'Redlinger' and the 'Elton', 60' (18.3-metre) Hysucraft (hydrofoil supported catamarans) survey vessel sister ships were designed and built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
They are serving the Portland, Oregon district. 'Redlinger's' mission is in Portland along the Columbia river. 'Elton's' mission is in Astoria and out to the Columbia Bar.
The vessels have a top speed of 35 knots with a cruising speed of 30 knots at 80 percent power. They can survey at up to 15 knots but typically their work is done at ten knots or less.
The vessels measure 18.3 metres 7.2 metres by 2.8 metres with a draught of one metre.
The vessels were designed by Viking Fast Craft Solutions. They were built to meet ABS high-speed rule and also built to meet US Coast Guard Subchapter T rules for safety.
These boats are survey boats that go out and measure the depths of the waterways and give that information to the dredgers, so the dredgers can keep the waterways clear for shipping.
They have built into them a moon pool aft of the superstructure that opens to let down into the water between the catamaran hulls a purpose built strut and pod that the multi and single beam transducers are mounted to for their survey. There is no A frame or the need to tow any instruments behind the vessel.
The vessels are fitted with platforms for diving should the need arise. The dive platforms also have the mufflers for the main engines built into them and that frees up much desired space in the engine rooms.
The main cabin features plenty of room for the four-person crew and their specialised equipment with two work stations. The viewing from the helm is 360 degrees.
There are no bunks on board; the idea is that with the vessels' speed the crew can return to port every night. The vessels are powered by twin MTU Series 60, 615kW engines driving twin Hamilton 403 Water Jet pumps through Twin Disc transmissions.
