Teknicraft was commissioned to design two sister ships, Pelican Perch and Turtle Runner for a new operation in the Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is a seven-mile long section of barrier island separating Pensacola Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. It comprises the westernmost section of Santa Rosa Island and is adjacent to the community of Pensacola Beach. The design is specially developed to allow visitors an opportunity to view and experience the national seashore from the water.
Each vessel has the capacity for 150 passengers, with more than half of the seating outdoors on the upper deck to take advantage of Florida's great weather. This design meets all the United States guidelines for Handicap Accessibility, including single level access for wheelchair boarding.