Westport Yard Building Fiberglass Passenger Vessel For TravAlaska

TravAlaska, the West family's cruise and tour firm headquartered in Seattle, will take delivery of a new passenger vessel from Westport Shipyard this spring. The 90-foot boat Glacier Seas will be the first commercial hull from a new adjustable mold the Westport, Wash., fiberglass vessel builder installed in 1985.

Following trials in April, TravAlaska will put the new boat into service on Prince William Sound. The firm maintains an operating base in Anchorage, and now has offices in all major Alaskan cities.

The first vessel to be owned by the Seattle travel firm, the Glacier Seas was designed by naval architect Jack Sarin of Bainbridge Island, Wash. TravAlaska president Charles G. West said the boat will be licensed to carry 130 passengers.

She will be fitted with bars on both enclosed decks and a full galley for preparation of meals. Half of the seating will be integrated into banquettes— dinette type benches and tables; the other half will involve individual contoured chairs. A walkaround bridge, open to the top passenger cabin, will be equipped with extensive electronic equipment, including a large color radar.

Propulsion will be provided by twin 930-bhp Deutz B/AM 816 diesel engines driving Coolidge stainless steel propellers via Reintjes reduction gears supplied by Karl Senner, Inc. The vessel will incorporate a steel stem and strengthened laminations along the chine for ice protection.

Westport Shipyard builds Airex fiberglass vessels ranging from 55 to 120 feet in one of the most automated fiberglass yards in the U.S. The new mold used by the shipyard involves a standard but stylishly raked bow, and adjustable jigs that can produce modifiable hull lines and transom. The first hull out of the mold was a 108-foot yacht that went to British Columbia for completion.

Westport will also deliver another 90-foot passenger vessel this month to Catalina Express Lines in Southern California. This will be the fourth vessel Westport has built for that ferry and excursion boat operator.

For full information and free literature on Westport Shipyards services and capabilities, Circle 15 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 15, Jan 1986

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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.