BRIX Marine Delivers Research Vessel Sound Outlook to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

PORT ANGELES, WABRIX Marine announces the delivery of R/V Sound Outlook, a custom 4416-CTC built for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). The vessel departed Port Angeles by truck in early June 2026 and is bound for Old Lyme, Connecticut, where it will support the agency’s marine research and environmental monitoring operations. Sound Outlook is the latest in a series of research vessels BRIX Marine has delivered to government and scientific organizations across North America.

Sound Outlook is a LabCat-series catamaran with a 16-foot beam and an overall length of approximately 48 feet, constructed from 5086-alloy aluminum. Twin Scania DI13 marine diesel engines rated at 750 horsepower each drive Hamilton Jet HJ403 water jets, giving the vessel the speed and shallow-draft capability suited to Long Island Sound operations. Combined fuel capacity is 500 gallons.

The vessel is purpose-fitted for survey and sampling work. The port side of the main cabin houses two laboratory workstations with solid-surface countertops, a stainless steel double sink, and a dedicated RODI cold-water rinse system. The starboard side provides two survey workstations. On the roof deck, a Morgan Marine 200.3 hydraulic knuckle crane, two Kolstrand trawl winches, and a Rosette winch support active deployments, alongside a hydraulic A-frame and anchor winch. A drone deployment pad and forward instrument plate are also integrated into the deck layout.

Navigation systems include three Garmin 8616 multifunction displays on a NMEA 2000 network, an 18HD radome radar, and a Wave WiFi cellular and Wi-Fi system. A Northern Lights 20kW diesel generator and Victron MultiPlus inverter-charger provide reliable power independent of shore supply. Climate control is handled by two Dometic air conditioning units and a Webasto forced-air diesel heater.

“Working with the experienced crew of Sound Outlook made this a smooth transition,” said Captain Charlie Crane, Sales & Marketing Director of BRIX Marine. “Their experience and input helped ensure the vessel came together as intended, and we’re proud of what we built together.”

Pre-acceptance trials were conducted in Port Angeles Harbor prior to departure. Final assembly, acceptance trials, and vessel orientation will be completed in Connecticut with two BRIX Marine technicians on site.

About the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

CT DEEP is responsible for conserving, improving, and protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and environment, including the tidal and marine waters of Long Island Sound. The agency conducts ongoing scientific research and monitoring to support fisheries management, water quality assessment, and coastal stewardship. For more information, visit www.ct.gov/deep.

About BRIX Marine

BRIX Marine, based in Port Angeles, WA, specializes in crafting custom aluminum catamarans and RHIBs for passenger, recreational, and commercial applications. Since 1991, BRIX Marine has been at the forefront of innovative boatbuilding, delivering rugged, reliable, and proven vessels tailored to meet the demands of operators worldwide. For more information, visit www.brixmarine.com.