Bay Weld Boats, Homer, Alaska, has delivered a new aluminum patrol vessel built for the Alaska State Troopers to operate in the waters of Bristol Bay.
Designed and constructed in-house, Bay Weld said the patrol boat Kellutuq is purpose-built for law enforcement missions in shallow, remote environments while offering overnight comfort and endurance for extended patrols.
The 36’x11’ vessel draws only 22”. Propulsion comes from twin Cummins QSB 6.7L diesel engines, each delivering 425 hp at 3,000 rpm, coupled with MJP twin UJ305 waterjets through ZF 280-1 gears with 1.056:1 ratios.
Hull construction features .25" 5086 aluminum plating on the bottom and transom, and .19" 5086 aluminum on the sides.
The boat cruises comfortably between 26 and 30 knots, with a top speed of 35 to 37 knots. Steering and controls are managed by a Glendinning two-station electronic control system, featuring joystick control and 4” LCD displays at both helm stations. Redundancy is built into the hydraulic system, with twin Eaton 3.8 cu. pumps tied to live power take-offs on each marine gear.
“This build for the troopers was unique in that we used our tried and proven 35' medium class V-berth cabin patrol vessel platform that has been typically powered by outboards,” Bay Weld owner and president, Eric Engebretsen, told WorkBoat. “We adapted the plan to fit an inboard diesel and water-jet propulsion system with joystick control package. This adaptation allowed us to give the troopers a familiar platform to operate with systems commonality, while accommodating the need for a shallow draft and highly maneuverable vessel for the area it is intended to patrol.”
Kellutuq is equipped for both performance and patrol longevity, according to the builder. It carries 500 gals. of fuel, allowing a range of up to 500 nautical miles, and holds 100 gals. of freshwater. Sleeping accommodations include three bunks in the berth and a convertible dinette, allowing overnight capacity for up to four troopers. The galley includes a full-featured kitchen, and a head with shower ensures comfort on multi-day assignments.
Electronics aboard include a full Garmin navigation suite: three GPSMAP 8616xsv displays (two at the main helm and one aft), Fantom 24 radar, SideVU and traditional transducers, Garmin autopilot, Starlink connectivity, and both police and VHF radio systems.
The rear cargo deck measures 10’x13’ and supports up to 4,000 lbs. of equipment. Additional gear includes a pot puller with davit system, transom boarding door, buoy fendering, gun safe, diesel heater, and an eight-battery bank system powered by a Fisher Panda 5kW marine diesel generator.
