Local boat builder All American Marine, Inc. has announced the Enhydra was named vessel of the year at the International WorkBoat Show. The 128-foot, 600-passenger boat was built at All American’s new 58,000 square foot manufacturing facility located on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront and launched at the Squalicum Harbor boat launch.
All American Marine built the Enhydra for the Red and White Fleet, a sightseeing and charter tour company operating in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
The Enhydra is currently the largest lithium-ion battery electric hybrid-powered vessel in North America built under “USCG Subchapter K” certification. All American Marine partnered with BAE Systems to design and integrate the complete electric hybrid system.
“We are proud to introduce such a large-capacity hybrid technology vessel and working with such great partners such as Red and White Fleet and BAE Systems to develop and build the boat of the future," All American Marine CEO Matt Mullett said. "All American is working to stay at the forefront of the decarbonization movement in the maritime industry, and the lithium-ion hybrid electric propulsion system on the Enhydra is a step in the right direction.”
The Enhydra is the second monohull produced from the new All American Marine facility on Bellingham Bay, the first the Salish Explorer, a 500 passenger dinner-cruise boat operating out of Seattle for Argosy Cruises.
All American Marine is a longtime tenant of the Port of Bellingham. In 2016, the Port completed construction of a 57,000 square foot marine trades facility allowing All American Marine to expand and hire additional employees. The cost of the manufacturing facility is being repaid through a 25-year lease with the Port. The Port received funding support through Whatcom County’s Economic Development Investment Program, a revolving loan and grant program designed to encourage the creation or retention of private sector jobs, to help pay for the relocation costs.
According to a report published by the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University, 6,033 jobs are created or supported by the marine trades representing 7% of Whatcom County’s total workforce.