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All American Marine (AAM) and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) have signed a contract for the design and construction of a new aluminum catamaran research vessel.

All American Marine will build the new catamaran, custom devised by Teknicraft Design of Auckland, New Zealand.

The new vessel, funded through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will serve the Joint Hydrographic Center (JHC) at UNH.

Larry Mayer, Director for UNH’s School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering and JHC Co-Director, stated: “We are very excited about this new vessel that will allow us to collect state-of-the-art seafloor and water column mapping data as well as the samples and ground-truth data we need to better understand what our remote mapping systems are telling us about the seafloor and ocean environment.”

According to the company, the aluminum hull will feature the Teknicraft Design signature hull shape with symmetrical bow, asymmetrical tunnel, and integrated wave piercer. Power for the propeller driven vessel will be provided by a pair of Cummins QSB 6.7 Tier 3 engines rated 250 mhp @ 2600 rpm and auxiliary power will be supplied via a Cummins Onan 21.5kW generator. The suite of deck gear includes a hydraulic A-frame, davit, scientific winch, side mount sonar strut, and moon pool with deployable sonar strut.

Reportedly, inspiration for the vessel design comes from the success of NOAA’s R/V Auk, built by AAM in 2006 and the R/V David Folger built for Middlebury College in 2012.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to build this new vessel for UNH. It is exciting to see that our early work with NOAA has helped establish All American Marine as a leader in the production of innovative aluminum research vessels and this new catamaran design promises to impress,” said AAM’s Vice President of Business Development, Joe Hudspeth.

Delivery for the new boat is set for early 2016.