Willard Marine has delivered two rescue boats to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).
The two U.S. Coast Guard-approved SEA FORCE 670 SOLAS fast rescue boats (FRBs) are for the 418' passenger/ro-ro ferry Columbia.
Each 22' fiberglass 670 FRB is powered by an inboard 230-hp diesel engine and waterjet and can carry up to nine passengers. The boats meet all requirements of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty for passenger vessels and ro-ro ferries that travel on international routes.
“The AMHS has chosen Willard Marine as their preferred U.S. supplier for their ferries, confirming that our quality, purpose-built design continues to be the first choice for FRBs in the SOLAS market,” said Ulrich Gottschling, president of Anaheim, Calif.-based Willard Marine, a 56-year-old builder of composite and aluminum boats.
Willard is also supplying two U.S. Coast Guard-approved SEA FORCE 490 SOLAS RIBs for the AMHS’ Fast Vehicle Ferry (FVF) Fairweather and FVF Chenega, which service the Upper Inside Passage, Juneau and Sitka, Alaska. Delivery of the boats will take place in the spring and fall.
AMHS operates a state-owned commercial fleet of 11 vessels that run along a scenic 3,500-mile route from Washington state to the Aleutian Islands.
