All American to build research boat for Bluetide Puerto Rico

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(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine has secured a contract to construct a research vessel for Bluetide Puerto Rico. The 73-by-26-foot aluminum catamaran will be constructed to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T standards for use on both near coastal and ocean routes.

The twin-engine vessel will be Bluetide’s first for its marine research, education, innovation and conservation work based out of Puerto Rico. The mission of Bluetide is to influence, innovate, support and increase the eco-responsible impacts of a sustainable blue economy in the Caribbean, and this vessel will help to achieve and grow its efforts in the region.

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The semi-displacement catamaran hull for this vessel was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, and is based on R/V Shearwater. Shearwater was also designed by Teknicraft and built by All American Marine in 2020 for Duke University Marine Lab. This proven vessel integrates the signature Teknicraft symmetrical and asymmetrical combined hull shape, bow wave piercer, and a patented hydrofoil-assisted hull design. The hull and hull components are designed to break up wave action.

This design is proven to have both low-wake wash energy and increased fuel economy. This advanced hull shape was custom designed using digital modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis testing. The vessel’s design offers all passengers and crew a smooth ride and  comfort as the hull provides a cushioned effect when encountering waves.

For the operator, the most valuable feature of these vessels is the excellent fuel economy. They consume approximately the same gallons per nautical mile throughout the estimated cruising speed of 18-24 knots, with a fuel-efficient survey operation speed of 3 knots. With a large fuel capacity of 1,500 gallons, this design will be able to hold up to 30 day passengers (up to eight live-aboard) including crew. The propulsion package includes two Caterpillar C18 ACERT Tier 3 engines, rated at 803 hp at 2,100 rpm, powering fixed-pitch propellers.

“As islanders, we are conditioned to see the sea as a border that limits and isolates us, instead of viewing that resource as a territorial extension capable of providing us with food, energy, and economic sustainability. The acquisition of this vessel will give us another perspective of the sea as an asset and a resource to educate ourselves, explore and innovate in a collaborative way, spearheading a
new economy for the region,” said Guifre Tort, Bluetide’s interim executive director.

The vessel will feature wet and dry labs, as well as a range of the latest oceanographic equipment to conduct survey operations.

– All American Marine

 

By Professional Mariner Staff