The Middlebury College in Vermont, USA, has requested Teknicraft to custom design a scientific research vessel to operate on Lake Champlain in New York State.

The relatively small 45 foot hull will have many capabilities normally only found on larger vessels. It will be fitted with a 1500 lb hydraulically operated A-frame, a 14000 lbf.ft crane and two scientific winches to deploy a vast array of scientific equipment, including a remote operated sub-bottom profiler vehicle and coring equipment. A hydro-dynamically profiled pod system will be incorporated into each hulls of the catamaran to enable a variety of under water scanners and transducers to be fitted.

The vessel will have a fixed hydrofoil system enabling it to cruise at more than 20 knots when laden with all equipment necessary for research missions on the lake.

Specifications: Length (OA): 14.6m (48ft) Beam: 5.2m (17ft) Draft: 1.7m (5.5ft) Engines: 2 x Yanmar 6LY3-UTC Rating: 273kW (366bhp) @3300rpm Propulsion: Propeller Speed: 23 knots (service) 25 knots (maximum) Construction: Aluminium Builder: All American Marine