New Catamaran Adds to Major Marine Tours Fleet
Major Marine Tours
A tour boat named for a whale that frequents Kenai Fjords National Park arrived in Seward, just in time for visitor season.
Third New Vessel in Four Years
Major Marine Tours welcomed the custom-built, 87-foot, high-speed catamaran Skana on May 11. The boat’s name celebrates a large male orca in the AD8 resident pod that can be seen feeding and socializing along the tour route. A company-wide vote last fall decided the name.
Skana is the third new vessel in the last four years for Major Marine Tours. The design is similar to the sister ship, Spirit of Matushka, with stadium-style standing areas on the bow for optimum wildlife viewing. The third deck has unobstructed 360-degree views and is partially enclosed to block the wind while still enjoying outdoor seating. Skana also has a wrap-around first deck that is fully wheelchair accessible.
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September 2026
The 150-passenger adjustable hydrofoil-assisted catamaran cruises at 28 knots, and its quad Hamilton waterjets are powered by Scania DI16 082 engines. Major Marine Tours says Skana is the fastest, most fuel-efficient vessel in its fleet, designed with fuel economy as top priority. The design includes a custom hull shape with a cushioning effect when encountering waves for added passenger comfort.
All American Marine of Bellingham, Washington, built Spirit of Matushka last year and the Skana for this season. The semi-displacement catamaran hull was developed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The design integrates the signature Teknicraft symmetrical and asymmetrical combined hull shape, bow wave piercer, and innovative hydrofoil system.
Skana spent more than a week on the voyage from Bellingham to Seward, covering 1,300 nautical miles, hugging the coast by day and stopping along the way to refuel.
What happens when a city with fewer than 300 residents becomes a major freight and tourism hub, despite being accessible only by boat, plane, or a one-lane highway/railroad tunnel managed on a strict schedule?
If you’re in the City of Whittier, you get busy. The city has two separate transportation planning efforts underway, including a safety action plan under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and emergency responders. The second is Whittier Moves, the city’s transportation master plan, which serves as the long-term roadmap for growth.