78′ Ultra Low-Wake Catamarans – Reliance & Lady Swift

Reliance & Lady Swift: High-Speed, Low-Wake Passenger Ferries for Kitsap Transit

All American Marine (AAM) proudly delivers Reliance & Lady Swift, two 78-foot hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamarans, to Kitsap Transit for passenger service between Bremerton and downtown Seattle. Built with composite superstructures, these ultra-low-wake, high-speed ferries provide eco-friendly and efficient cross-sound transit.

Innovative Hydrofoil-Assisted Design

Designed by Teknicraft Design, these 78’ x 28’ aluminum catamarans integrate advanced hydrodynamics to minimize shoreline impact while maintaining high-speed performance. The vessels are based on the proven Rich Passage 1 (RP1) hull, originally built by AAM in 2011.

Powered by quad Hamilton 403 waterjets and Caterpillar C-18 Tier III engines, these ferries achieve service speeds up to 37 knots while maintaining low fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The dynamic carbon fiber hydrofoil automatically adjusts for optimal efficiency, ensuring a smooth ride through wake-sensitive areas.

Sustainable Passenger Ferry Technology

Reliance & Lady Swift are designed to operate through Rich Passage without causing shoreline erosion, a breakthrough achieved through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and hydrodynamic testing in collaboration with:

• University of Iowa’s IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering Research Center
• INSEAN Naval Architects in Rome, Italy
• Golder Associates Coastal Specialists in Redmond, WA

“Our hydrofoil-supported hull has been refined over the last decade to become a leader in catamaran technology,” said Nic de Waal, Principal Naval Architect at Teknicraft Design. “With intensive CFD modeling, we now have one of the most advanced, environmentally friendly hulls in terms of low wake, high speed, and fuel efficiency.”

Enhancing Kitsap Transit’s Fleet

“Reliance and Lady Swift are not your typical ferries,” said Matt Mullett, CEO of AAM. “They were built to be lightweight and fly smoothly through wake-sensitive zones while incorporating modern enhancements for performance and passenger comfort.”

Each vessel carries 118 passengers and features:

• Lightweight aluminum honeycomb panel interiors for efficiency
• High-performance bottom paint for enhanced speed
• Compliant EPA Tier III propulsion system for reduced emissions

Advancing Ferry Innovation & Sustainability

Built at AAM’s Bellingham, WA facility, Reliance & Lady Swift strengthen Kitsap Transit’s high-speed ferry service, providing a sustainable, efficient, and passenger-friendly solution for cross-sound commuters.