Kvichak delivers P/V Bering to SWAPA
Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. of Seattle, WA, recently delivered the P/V Bering, a 50’ x 15.5’ pilot vessel to the Southwest Alaska Pilots Association (SWAPA), the shipbuilding company's news release said.
After acceptance of the Bering, the SWAPA crew and a Kvichak technician departed Seattle and began transiting north to Valdez, AK. The Bering’s delivery encompassed 1350 nautical miles averaging 25 knots over 5 days (53.9 hours run time on the engines). Weather conditions were generally favorable however Johnstone Strait in BC provided a good test for the handling and sea keeping characteristics of the Bering. Port calls during the 5 day run were made in Port McNeil BC, Prince Rupert BC, Hoonah, AK and Yakutat, AK. Additional stops for fuel were made in Nanaimo BC, Klemtu BC, Ketchikan, AK and Petersburg, AK. The crew pulled into the pilot station at Rocky Point in Prince William Sound before proceeding on to their homeport in Valdez, AK. Bering will operate in the coastal areas of South Central Alaska.
Designed by Kvichak Marine, the all-aluminum vessel is powered by twin CAT C18 ACERT tier II engines rated for 715 BHP coupled to Twin Disc MGX-5145SC marine gears. Hamilton 364 waterjets are the chosen propulsors. This combination allows for excellent maneuverability and a top speed of ~ 36 knots. The vessel has a Wing Hybrid fendering system.
Vessel's features:
- Overall length: 52.3’
- Beam, overall: 15.5’
- Draft (RFS): 2.75’
- Fuel capacity: 500 gallons
- Top speed: ~36 knots
- Integrated navigation system
- Northern Lights 20 kW generator
- Climate controlled pilot house
- 2 crew and 4 passengers
- Deck heating
- Wing Hybrid fendering system
- Handrail heating
