CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp.

• Author: Gallion, Mari
• Position: INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. has committed to the construction of a new 150-passenger catamaran for Kenai Fjords Tours to add to its 12-vessel fleet, with delivery anticipated in early 2014. Designed by Teknicrafi of New Zealand and constructed by All American Marine in Bellingham, Wash., the new vessel will join two sister ships, the Aialik and Orca Voyagers.

The ship's design offers stability, spacious seating, wrap-around viewing decks, oversized, fog-free windows and LCD video monitors. A hydrofoil wing helps lift the catamaran up out of the water, decreasing drag, increasing fuel economy and creating a smaller boat wake.

The investment in the KFT fleet comes just weeks before spring construction resumes on the...