Kvichak delivers pilot boat

MARCH 19, 2014 — Seattle headquartered Kvichak Marine Industries has delivered Astoria, a self-righting 75 ft 6 in all-aluminum pilot boat, to the Columbia River Bar Pilots (CRBP) of Astoria, OR.  

Astoria is the third CRBP pilot boat designed by Camarc, Ltd. of the U.K, and built by Kvichak.  The pilots christened Astoria at a ceremony last week where the vessel joined the Columbia, built in 2008.  Chinook, built in 2000, is retiring this spring.

The pilots operate the vessels over the bar at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Known for its extreme weather and turbulent waters, the Columbia River Bar is where the Columbia River collides with the Pacific Ocean.  The resulting conditions require reliable, stable and self-righting pilot boats that safely and successfully transport pilots to and from the ships and tugs that navigate across the Bar.  

Astoria is powered by twin MTU 16V2000 M70 marine diesel engines rated for 1,410 bhp at 2,100 RPM and coupled to a pair of Hamilton 651 waterjets via twin ZF 3050 electric shift transmissions.

Additional vessel features include:
Overall Length: 75′ 6″    
Beam, overall: 21′ 6″
Draft: 3′ 6″    
Fuel capacity: 1,655 gallons
Top speed:  about 29 knots    
Extensive Furuno electronics package
Two Kohler 40 kW gensets    
Climate controlled pilot house
2 crew, 4 pilots    
Accommodations for 2
Popsafe fendering    
Rescue davit w/ 500lb SWL capacity