AAM Awarded Contract for Innovative Tour Vessel for 26 Glaciers
All American Marine (AAM) have been awarded the contract to build a high-speed and long-range eco-tour vessel for Phillips Cruises and Tours. The vessel will operate in Whittier, Alaska, upon completion.
This vessel is an 84.5’ x 30.7’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel will be constructed in AAM’s state-of-the-art facility on Bellingham Bay and is contracted to deliver before May 1, 2024. This innovative new vessel will add to Phillips Cruises’ existing fleet of boats operating in Prince William Sound on daily sightseeing tours.
The vessel will be constructed to USCG (US Coast Guard) Subchapter T classification. With a fuel capacity of 1200 gallons, this fuel-efficient design will be assisted by a fixed aluminum hydrofoil, enhancing its speed and stability at high speeds. The propulsion package includes 4x MJP 350X Waterjets powered by 4x Scania DI16 082 engines, rated at 800 mhp. This 150-passenger vessel will be integral to Phillip’s high-speed tour options for visitors to Prince William Sound. The vessel will enhance the on board customer experience with top-of-the-line amenities and provide improved comfort throughout their journey.
“We knew that All American marine was the best option out there when it came time to add another quality vessel to our fleet, and this project is sure to do just that. The communication during the project scoping, design and initial engineering analysis has been excellent. We are excited to improve our guests’ experiences and keep our company operating efficiently and environmentally friendly. AAM is helping make are long term goals a reality.”
Bob Neumann, Owner of 26 Glaciers
The new sightseeing vessel integrates the signature Teknicraft Design 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 and ensure reduced drag while enhancing passenger comfort. Teknicraft’s innovative dynamic hydrofoil-assisted hull design is proven to have industry-leading low-wake wash energy and fuel economy. The main foil action reduces the power needed to maintain service speed; therefore, fuel consumption and running costs are reduced significantly while also further enhancing the softness of the ride, especially in choppy seas. Our unique hydrofoil system consists of the main foil spanning the tunnel at the keel, forward of the center of gravity position, and two cantilever-type stern foils. The lift produced by the hydrofoil reduces the hull resistance while increasing speed and load-bearing capability. The proven performance and fuel savings over time with a Teknicraft designed and All American Marine built hull is unmatched for a high-speed, hydrofoil-assisted catamaran.
“All American Marine is committed to creating a long-term win-win situation for each of our customers. We strive to make their operations successful by building quality boats at a fair price and supporting our customers when needed,” stated Ron Wille, All American Marine President & COO. “We are excited to add to the 26 Glaciers fleet and to provide a superior passenger experience for their customers for years to come.
This advanced hull shape was custom designed using state-of-the-art digital modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis testing from Teknicraft. The vessel’s design offers all passengers and crew a smooth ride and optimal comfort, as the unique hull provides a cushioned effect when encountering waves. For the operator, one valuable feature of this vessel is the excellent fuel economy while maintaining an estimated fully laden cruise speed of ~32 knots. Onboard the vessel, passengers can bask in the spacious comfort of 150 fully enclosed seats with tables between 2 decks, dual pane windows, exterior seating, and standing room for nature viewing. Interior amenities include high-quality Beurteaux seats and electrical outlets with USB plugs at every table. The entire main deck, including the bow, has wheelchair access, and the main deck cabin includes wheelchair-designated seating locations. Passengers can also enjoy refreshments from a full galley and bar in the main deck cabin.