Cracking aluminum found on two boat hulls from local shipbuilders

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The Coast Guard is investigating faulty aluminum used by Puget Sound shipbuilders that could put boats at risk for corrosion, cracking or hull failure.

One passenger vessel in Hawaii and one from Southern California have been found with hull cracks and corrosion inconsistent with normal use.

But it's unclear how widespread the problem might be. For now, the Coast Guard is working with builders and aluminum companies to determine where the faulty metal was shipped and who used it.

The aluminum plates were manufactured by Montreal-based Alcan, while Minneapolis-based Integris supplied the plates to the builders.

Both Alcan and Integris are helping with the investigation, Coast Guard Lt. Scott Casad said. Neither company could be reached for comment yesterday.

The problems in the two vessels were discovered before any incident occurred. In each case, cracks were in aluminum plates near the engine room, an area subject to heat and vibration, Casad said. That could accelerate corrosion, but their role is under investigation.

Nichols Bros. Boat Builders on Whidbey Island discovered the problem last month when a Los Angeles customer reported a crack in the hull of a catamaran less than a year old. Tests showed the metal had corroded in marine conditions.

Kvichak Marine Industries in Ballard discovered the problem around Christmas when a customer in Hawaii reported a crack in the hull of a 2-year-old catamaran. The company has identified 30 Kvichak-built boats that have the faulty aluminum. Those customers have been notified.

Both builders are bearing the replacement costs for their customers but are hoping for relief from the aluminum companies, said Kvichak spokeswoman Jeanne Muir.

Frank Vinluan can be reached at 206-464-2291, or fvinluan@seattletimes.com.