Aluminum Boats Delivers Whale Watch Excursion Boat

The Portuguese Princess, a fast, sleek, new 94-foot passenger whale watch boat has entered service in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Owner Suzanne Carter was looking for a shipyard that could build a high quality boat in a short time. Aluminum Boats, Inc., Crown Point, La., "had recently built and delivered two 85-foot crewboats in 12 weeks, so I knew they could deliver my 90-footer on time," Ms.

Carter said.

Salvador J. Guarino, president of Aluminum Boats said Ms.

Carter called as soon as the financing was completed and his design team began putting her ideas down on paper. The actual contract was signed 23 days later on January 5, 1985.

The keel was laid on January 7, and the boat was completed on April 10th. Sea trials followed the next day and the gleaming white Portuguese Princess sporting accent stripes of the Portuguese national colors, departed the Louisiana bayous on April 16th for the long trip to the East Coast.

The all-aluminum boat is 94 feet long, with a 24 foot beam, and 8 foot, 11 inch depth. Normal operating draft is 3 feet, 9 inches. The vessel is powered by three Detroit Diesel 12V71 T I diesel engines developing a total of 1530 hp. They turn three 33x29 inch diameter bronze propellers through Twin Disc 514 reverse/reduction gears with a ratio of 2:1. Auxiliary and ships service power is provided by a Kato, 30KW generator driven by a Detroit Diesel 371 diesel engine.

The Portuguese Princess reached a speed of 26.9 mph during sea trials. Mr. Guarino said the high speed is necessary because a normal whale watching trip is about 31/ to 4 hours long and can cover cruising distances of 2 to 40 miles.

The salon on the main deck level can seat up to 92 persons on 23 Eacco padded seats. Forty-one people can line the gunwales on each side of the main deck, and the forepeak deck can accommodate up to 48 whale watchers. The bow area also includes additional handrails and features an 8-foot bowsprit which is used for whale spotting.

The galley with grill, microwave, oven and refrigerator is also located in the main salon.

The second level features an open observation deck which can serve 74 people, and seating for an additional 70 guests is provided.

The Portuguese Princess is equipped with an A1 George, Inc. electrohydraulic steering system. Some of the navigation and communications equipment aboard includes: a Furuno FR 360 radar; Sitex 787 C loran; Ritchie C453 compass; Standard 8635 VHF; Datamarine 3000 fathometer; Raytheon 400 loudhailer; and Aiphone intercom/PA system.

The new boat can carry 2300 gallons of fuel oil, 4637 gallons of ballast water, and 500 gallons of fresh water. Her displacement at full load is approximately 65 long tons. The vessel is U.S. Coast Guard certificated 20 miles coastwise.

For free information on Aluminum Boats facilities and capabilities, Circle 339 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 23, Jun 1985

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.