Brix Marine builds water taxi for QXMC
Written by Nick Blenkey
Profile view of Brix Marine water taxi
Port Angeles, Wash., based boatbuilder Brix Marine (formerly Armstrong Marine USA) is currently constructing a 32- by 12-foot catamaran for the Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC). QXMC is the business arm of the Klahoose First Nation, whose territories span from Cortes Island to Toba Inlet, B.C, Canada.
The corporation, whose activities include industries such as forestry, aquaculture, tourism, and retail, will operate the twelve-passenger vessel as a water taxi. Completion is slated for Fall 2021.
Power and propulsion are provided by twin Volvo Penta D4 270 hp engines with Aquamatic DPI outdrives.
The Brix Marine model 3212-CTC vessel has a full walk around configuration that, combined with two side boarding doors port and starboard, allows for safe passenger access from stem to stern. A heated cabin, exterior-accessed head, and 12 individual passenger seats ensure comfort.
“When I first started at QXMC in May 2019, I quickly realized that all of our companies spent significant amounts on water-taxis every year,” said Bruno Pereira, CEO of QXMC. “There was no doubt in my mind that we needed to contemplate running our own operation. After a thorough due diligence, taking into consideration the future expansion of our own companies, we decided to give this project a go. Claiming ownership of our own water taxi operation will allow us to keep all of our budgets internal, and will also empower us to build more flexibility, control, and capacity for future generations.”
Pereira said that QXMC chose the Brix Marine design after a competitive selection process, “after several months of research and an RFP process, we finally chose Brix Marine to build our vessel. The quality of their work and the professionalism of their team (our main contact was Capt. Charlie Crane) are second to none and ultimately made our decision an easy one.”
