Kvichak wins $32 million contract for two WETA ferries

APRIL 16, 2015 — Kvichak Marine Industries, Seattle, WA, a Vigor Industrial Company, was recently awarded a shipbuilding contract by the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), San Francisco, CA, for the design and construction of two all-aluminum 400 passenger-only ferries.

According to WETA, the contract is worth $32 million and is being funded through a combination of Federal Transit Administration grant funds, Regional Measure 2 bridge tolls, State Proposition 1B grant funds, and Alameda County Measure B Transportation Sales Tax.

“The whole Kvichak team is incredibly proud to have been selected to build WETA’s two new state-of-the-art ferries, said Keith Whittemore, President of Kvichak Marine Industries. “We will build two great boats that will serve the citizens of the Bay Area for decades.”

The new vessels will replace two of WETA’s 12-vessel fleet that are approaching the end of their expected life.

“The Vessel Replacement project is part of the ongoing fleet renewal process, which will enable WETA to provide reliable service across our system and enhance our customers’ experience when traveling or commuting across the Bay,” said Nina Rannells, WETA executive director. “We look forward to working with Kvichak to enhance our fleet of passenger ferries.”

Designed by Incat Crowther, Australia, the 135 ft x 38 ft all-aluminum catamarans will have a draft of 6.75 ft and will feature MTU 12V4000 M64+ EPA Tier III engines rated 1,950 BHP @ 1830 RPM coupled with ZF7600 reduction gears. An exhaust after treatment system will also be included. Service speed will be 27 knots.

Kvichak awarded Nichols Brothers Boat Builders the subcontract to provide the bolt-on superstructure for the project. From 2007 to 2010, the two companies collaborated on the delivery of four 118 ft environmentally friendly ferries that are currently in service for WETA in the San Francisco Bay area.

The vessels will be the 700th and 701st vessels built by Kvichak and are anticipated to be in service the summer of 2017.