VESSEL REVIEW | Skana – Bespoke sightseeing catamaran for Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park

A Washington State boat builder has handed over a new aluminium catamaran vessel to Seward, Alaska-based tour operator Major Marine Tours (MMT). Designed by New Zealand-based naval architecture firm Teknicraft, Skana is a custom-built vessel capable of transporting 150 passengers on sightseeing excursions in the Kenai Fjords National Park in the southern part of the state. The vessel is named after a large male orca that is one of the popular attractions among visitors to the park.

The semi-displacement catamaran measures 87 feet (26.5 metres) long and 32 feet (9.75 metres) wide and is fitted with a custom hull shape for added passenger comfort with a cushioning effect when encountering waves. The design integrates Teknicraft’s signature symmetrical and asymmetrical combined hull shape, a bow wave piercer, and a hydrofoil-assisted propulsion system. The wave piercer is positioned between the catamaran sponsons to break up wave action and ensure reduced drag while enhancing comfort.

The bow of the vessel is built with stadium-style standing areas for optimum wildlife viewing and additional interior seating is available on the second deck. The third deck has unobstructed 360-degree views and is partially enclosed with a covered awning to provide passengers with some protection from the wind.

The entire main deck including the bow has accessibility features to aid wheelchair-bound passengers. These features include ramps and designated interior seating locations. The interior spaces on both the main and second decks are fitted with passenger seats from Beurteaux, tables, and electrical outlets with USB charging ports.

Power for the vessel is provided by four Scania DI16 082 788hp (587kW) engines driving Hamilton HM422 waterjets. This arrangement will enable the catamaran to reach a cruising speed of approximately 28 knots. The vessel is also fitted with Hamilton AVX steering controls.

Skana is a sister vessel of Spirit of Matushka, another Teknicraft-designed catamaran that was delivered by the same builder to MMT in the spring of 2021.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s Passenger Vessel Week.