Big and Fast

Yesterday we had a ship that would pass in front of us putting out a hell of a wake and moving fast. It turns out it was the USNS Brunswick going 36-37 knots. She's one of the Spearhead class, expeditionary fast transports. She can go 43 knots which seems pretty good for a 337' vessel. I wonder how many GPH she burns?

Neat shot, Larry.

Information on the internet indicates this vessel is powered with four (4) MTU 20V 8000 M71L engines.

MTU literature, also on the 'net, shows a fuel burn of 548 GPH "at rated power" for this specific model.

So, 4 x 548 is 2192 GPH. Don't forget to add the generator consumption to that number.

Larry,
Were you in Haro Striat?

manyboats said:

Larry,
Were you in Haro Striat?

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I was about to ask the same thing.
Looks like it's on the east coast though.
Did you see something in Haro, MB?


On Friday, inbound, US side of Juan de Fuca, there was a big go fast too far away to get a decent look or picture. I'd say it was probably in the 115-150 foot range; doing at least 35 nm/h.

manyboats said:

Larry,
Were you in Haro Striat?

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We were crossing the Gulf Stream from the Keys on our way to the Berry Islands.

IRENE said:

Neat shot, Larry.

Information on the internet indicates this vessel is powered with four (4) MTU 20V 8000 M71L engines.

MTU literature, also on the 'net, shows a fuel burn of 548 GPH "at rated power" for this specific model.

So, 4 x 548 is 2192 GPH. Don't forget to add the generator consumption to that number.

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That's a bunch of fuel. I guess she saves on weight with a normal crew of only 22. Here's another picture I found on the internet.

Hawgwash said:

On Friday, inbound, US side of Juan de Fuca, there was a big go fast too far away to get a decent look or picture. I'd say it was probably in the 115-150 foot range; doing at least 35 nm/h.

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Hawg,

Could that fast-mover have been one of the USCG screening vessels, used for the sub escorts (pic below). I saw a yacht running around at a pretty good clip last week, more towards the size you mentioned. I can't remember the day.

IRENE; said:

Could that fast-mover have been View attachment 50130

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Nope, not that one. I was at probably the widest point of the Strait and it was so far off the only thing I can say is in profile, it looked like a very big brother to the BandB boat.

I'd be more worried that they have the engine under the right load.

Did it make a large wake?

Hawgwash said:

I was about to ask the same thing.
Looks like it's on the east coast though.
Did you see something in Haro, MB?


On Friday, inbound, US side of Juan de Fuca, there was a big go fast too far away to get a decent look or picture. I'd say it was probably in the 115-150 foot range; doing at least 35 nm/h.

Click to expand...

Hawgwash,
Just lots of ships and other odd craft like go fast hoovercraft. Going to Pender just east of Turn Point .. made that crossing many times. We were reciently there on our wat to Mill Bay in Sanich Inlet. SP prolly wrong.

Wxx3; said:

Did it make a large wake?

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Yes, actually it did, thanks for the reminder. It did throw a big one like jets or Aneson's. Looked like this Pershing 92 only bigger.

Cqr ?

Big and fast would be Alaska ferry Fairweather. Four engines, 20000 total house power.

Could also have been the high-speed Victoria Clipper, two big turbines and jet drives. It runs about 35 knots or so and kicks up a nice rooster tail behind it.

THD said:

Could also have been the high-speed Victoria Clipper, two big turbines and jet drives. It runs about 35 knots or so and kicks up a nice rooster tail behind it.

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You might be onto something there, THD. A Clipper perhaps, just not on the Victoria run. The time wasn't right and it was heading W to E past Port Angeles.
Too early for whales.
Maybe just out having fun.

It turns out it was the USNS Brunswick going 36-37 knots. She's one of the Spearhead class, expeditionary fast transports. She can go 43 knots

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A hell of a ski boat.

Hawgwash said:

You might be onto something there, THD. A Clipper perhaps, just not on the Victoria run. The time wasn't right and it was heading W to E past Port Angeles.
Too early for whales.
Maybe just out having fun.

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With the new ownership of the Clipper, you're going to see different boats. I think the new Vancouver boat is mostly white, but I could be wrong.

bcam said:

With the new ownership of the Clipper, you're going to see different boats. I think the new Vancouver boat is mostly white, but I could be wrong.

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Interesting, isn't it; nothing for 20 years then two new services.

My money is on the Clipper folks if any. Very skeptical though.
New passenger ferry set to run between Victoria and downtown Vancouver

New Victoria-Vancouver passenger ferry signs lease - British Columbia - CBC News

Though not fast he was gaining on us. Picture of our rear view mirror on the Cape Fear River. You can't see it in the picture but the mirror has imprinted on it "Objects are closer than they appear".