Bellingham, Wash.-based All American Marine, Inc. has been awarded a contract for a 74-foot catamaran patrol vessel that is to operate in California, the company announced Nov. 17.
“This aluminum catamaran will serve an integral role patrolling California state waters and international waters along the California coast, for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,” AAM said in a statement.
The 74-foot by 27.5-foot (OAL) twin engine, fixed-propeller patrol vessel will be built to U.S. Coast Guard standards, All American said. The firm added that the hydrofoil assisted vessel from Teknicraft Design in New Zealand would combine “innovative design features critical to modern maritime law enforcement,” and is based on the Captain Murchison, which All American Marine built in 2020 for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Among the notable features included in the vessel is Teknicraft’s Rapid RHIB launching and retrieval system, which is integrated into the vessel’s stern. According to All American, it will increase safety and reduce the time and manpower required to deploy the vessel’s rigid hull inflatable boat, as well allow for deployment and retrieval in under one minute.
Additional vessel features include a complete advanced electronics package, which contains FLIR M400 XR high-resolution thermal imaging video with tracking to assist with patrol duties.
“We are excited to announce another contract for this innovative build at AAM,” All American Marine President & COO Ron Wille said. “Our key mission is to build the most technologically advanced vessels in the world and we have already started working on this state-of-the-art patrol vessel.”
“The custom Teknicraft Rapid RHIB deployment system will be critical to the CDFW’s patrol and conservation efforts and we are excited for them to utilize it in California waters,” he added.
The CDFW manages California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
The department has a division that protects California natural resources and provides public safety services. This new vessel is expected to “fill a vital role in the Law Enforcement Division for marine enforcement,” according to All American.
The semi-displacement catamaran hull for the vessel was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland. The design integrates a Teknicraft hull shape and is complemented by the designer’s signature integration of a wave piercer positioned between the catamaran sponsons to break up wave action and ensure reduced drag while conducting research missions.
For the operator, one of the most valuable features of the vessel is its fuel economy. With a 2000-gallon total capacity, long-range performance is critical to the design process of this vessel, according to AAM.
“The company concluded that “this custom vessel will serve as a valuable asset for CDFW’s specific mission.”