The success of the recently delivered Aialik Voyager prompted CIRI Alaska Native Corporation to contract with AAM to build a second 83’ Teknicraft catamaran sister ship. The new vessel, Orca Voyager, is 82.7’ x 29.2’ and was completed in the fall of 2008. Both vessels are used by CIRI’s Kenai Fjords Tours operation in Seward, Alaska. The foil-assisted catamarans are so fuel efficient and well suited for glacier and wildlife tours that KFT hopes to eventually replace their entire fleet with Teknicraft catamarans by AAM.

The Orca Voyager is powered by twin C32 Caterpillar ACERT engines, each delivering 1450 bhp at 2300 rpm. The propulsion package includes ZF 3000A transmissions and Osborne 5-blade propellers. Wesmar V2-8HR bow thrusters were integrated to assist with close-quarter maneuvering. Fully loaded, Orca Voyager reaches a top speed of 31 knots and cruises efficiently at 27 knots.

Onboard the vessel, passengers are indulged in the spacious comfort of the two deck cabin. Each row of cabin seating faces a dining table and the design of the flip-up style Eknes seats makes it very easy for passengers to access seats inside a row. In addition to dedicated wheel chair spaces, the seats can be quickly removed to accommodate wheelchairs at the tables. The vessel is highly accessible and offers wide aisle ways, low clearance door sills, and an exterior ramp that gradually sweeps up to the fore deck so that all passengers can easily access the same viewing areas. The cruise experience is complemented by plenty of LCD video monitors, a high grade Bose sound system, and large viewing windows located throughout the cabins. A fully equipped galley is onboard, complete with multiple refrigerators, freezers, sinks, and ovens. The exterior decks are accessible from either cabin, with an observation area and outdoor seating available on the upper deck and a wrap around exterior walkway with rain shelter on the main deck.