Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (July 2011)

Kvichak Delivers FerryKvichak Marine Industries deliv- ered the AquaLink II to Long Beach Transit (LBT) in California. Designed by Incat Crowther of Australia, this is the second vessel built by Kvichak for LBT. Both ves- sels are operated by Catalina Express shuttling visitors and commutersbetween the Long Beach down- town/waterfront area to Alamitos Bay Landing. AquaLink has been in operation by LBT since 2001. AquaLink II, an all-aluminum fully- enclosed catamaran is powered by twin Cummins QSM 11 diesel engines, rated for 610 hp at 2,300rpm, and fitted to ZF 360A marinegears. The 74-passenger catamaran will operate at a service speed of about 25 knots with a crew of two. WSF: 60 Years of Safety Washington State Ferries (WSF) is launching a program to recognize the hard work and care that goes into keeping passengers and crew mem- bers safe. Teams of ferry employees who achieve the goal of having no injuries in a three-month period will fly a green and white WSF safety pennant at their worksite. This week also marks the 60th anniversary of the ferry system. USPS Salutes Merchant Marine on Stamps The Postal Service will salute the U.S. Merchant Marine on four forever stamps July 28 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend the 11:30 a.m. dedi- cation ceremony that takes place in the Ackerman Auditorium, 300 Steamboat Rd. Since the founding of the republic, the United States has looked to the commercial maritime industry for much of its growth and security. This issuance pays tribute to the U.S. Merchant Marine, the mod- ern name for the maritime fleet that has played this vital role. The four- stamp design on this pane features types of vessels that have formed an important part of this history: clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships and container ships.Image courtesy U.S. Postal Service Headquarters