First keel laid will be 500-passenger vessel for Argosy Cruises
A 500-passenger aluminum vessel for Argosy Cruises, Seattle, will be the first project at All American Marine's new shipyard under construction at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, Wash. The 125' Teknicraft Design Subchapter K vessel will operate on Elliott Bay in Puget Sound.
It will be the first keel laid at the new yard on the north edge of Bellingham Bay, where AAM will open its new 57,000 sq. ft. boatbuilding facility in January 2017. Supported by the Port of Bellingham, the project expands AAM’s ability to take on and pursue larger vessel projects with hulls over 100’ in length, alongside their regular production of midsized monohulls and catamarans.
Teknicraft Design 500-passenger vessel for Argosy Cruises.
Argosy chose AAM and Teknicraft as the project team. Argosy president and CEO Kevin Clark said he liked the value in terms of price, maintenance, and functionality that was offered in the selection of an aluminum hull versus steel, which is more common in his current fleet of 10 boats.
“The value of Teknicraft and All American Marine design teams working closely together to build us a quality boat, made the design and construction process absolutely seamless,” Clark said in announcing the contract.
The vessel will be powered with twin Scania DI 16-080M engines, with ship’s auxiliary power from Northern Lights 65-kW and 40-kW generators.
The vessel’s primary use will be providing cruises between Argosy’s Seattle waterfront location at Pier 55 and their longstanding concession at Tillicum Village on Blake Island State Park. The vessel will also handle private event charters.
The main and second decks will afford passengers panoramic views, windows from both the main deck and second deck cabins. A second deck aft viewing veranda and spacious bow foredeck will provide visitors with views of Mt. Rainier and the Seattle cityscape. The upper deck features a 360° view, with an elevated observation and ceremony platform.
Cabin floor plans will be versatile, with both fixed and configurable interior seating, elevator accessibility, and fully equipped service bars.
“We have been working hard to reach this point and are truly excited about the comprehensive design and features that this new boat will offer to Argosy while moving the bar for our future designs,” said Matt Mullett, AAM’s president and CEO.
