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S.W.A.T.H. (Small
Water-plane-Area Twin Hull)
boats developed for stability
and speed in rough seas, are a
special challenge to move.
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CHUBASCO is 90'
long, 45' wide, and
weighed 190 tons at move
time. Most of the SWATH
boats we've moved were
built by Swath Ocean
Systems, in San Diego
(www.swathocean.com).
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"click for larger picture"
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These SWATH boats, as well as most of our other large boats, are manually loaded using powerful jacking systems. This method allows us to meticulously fit our rolling gear to exact structural positions on the hull, preventing hull damage.
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"click for larger picture"
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This is WESTERN
FLYER, constructed
by Swath Ocean Systems,
in San Diego, for the
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Research Institute ( MBARI ). She is 117'
long, 53' wide, and
weighed nearly 400 tons
at moving time. We had
to call in the
reinforcements for this
one. With the help and
equipment of Etalco, Inc
( Engineered Transport
and Lifting Company ) of
Everett WA, we moved
this monster to a sea
wall, where a gigantic
floating crane lifted
her into the water.
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It took 10
self-propelled,
self-steering dollies,
and a mile of
inter-connected
hydraulic hoses to inch
WESTERN FLYER
to water's edge.
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"click for larger picture"
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Pictured here, HYDRO 2, built by Inter Ocean Systems, nears her destination following an all-night journey.
The 23 mile, 7 hour move, was accompanied by highway patrol escorts and an inspector from the highway department. Larry walked backwards in front of the truck for the entire trip, to guide the load through dozens of tight spots.
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