In 2003 Washington State Ferries were forced to terminate their passenger service to the Kitsap Peninsula, between Seattle and Bremerton, due to wake erosion of the local shorelines. Since then Kitsap Transit has been searching for an economically feasible solution to bring fast and environmentally safe passenger-only ferry service back to this region.

The low-wake signature of Teknicraft's hydrofoil-assisted catamarans made them the ideal candidate for this task. We embarked upon an intensive research and engineering program to further optimise the wake without compromising low resistance, fuel consumption or seakeeping. Working with various hydrodynamicists and utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, the ultra low wake, high-speed hull was developed to meet the new stringent wave height and energy criteria.

This vessel is fitted with a state-of-the-art, dynamically controlled composite hydrofoil system as well as interceptors to ensure optimum performance at all times.

Specifications: Length (OA): 23.9m (78.6ft) Beam: 8.6m (28.2ft) Draft: 1.0m (3.3ft) Engines: 4 x Caterpillar C18 ACERT Rating: 651kW (873bhp) @2200rpm Propulsion: 4 x HamiltonJet HJ403 Speed: 37 knots (service) 42 knots (max) Passengers: 118 Construction: High Strength Aluminium Composite Builder: All American Marine
Articles:    Rich Passage 1 wins Boat of the Month - Marine News Magazine Article July 2009 Video Clips:    Rich Passage 1 Video