JET BOAT OPENS UP NEW HIMALAYAN HIGHWAY
- Brief Specifications-
For the people of Nepal, reliance on mountain roads and foot paths for vital communications and transport links between cities and remote villages has been a major hurdle in their country's development.
The topography of this mountainous country has meant that relatively short journeys can take a disproportionately long time because of the need to use safe passes or skirt natural obstacles.
International Development Enterprises, headed by Dr. Paul Polak a working in cooperation with the World Bank, is an organization committed to developing opportunities in the commerce, communications and transport fields in countries such as Nepal.
Dr. Polak identified three major rivers capable of providing over 600 km of access. One, the Arun River, had over 100 km of potentially navigable water reaching many villages - however treacherous rapids, shoals and strong currents made the Arun unsuitable for the transportation of people and freight using traditional craft and it was obvious a special boat was necessary to utilize this "highway".
Darell Bentz, of Bentz Boats USA, designed and built a special 36 foot jet boat capable of carrying a respectable payload while maintaining good performance essential for safe operation on a white water river.
Arun 1 (named Nepal II for testing) is powered by twin Hamilton 271 water jets coupled to 330 hp Ford "Merlin" turbo-diesel engines and was extensively tested on the Snake River, Idaho, USA. prior to delivery. This river closely simulates the conditions likely to be encountered in Nepal and the boat effortlessly negotiated the swift white water and skimmed over shallows.
Local river expert Chuck Gardiner was enlisted to operate the craft and train selected Nepalese as operators and found the standard of design and construction, performance and maneuverability of Arun 1 to be ideal for the task for which it was conceived. Such was the success of Arun 1, it is anticipated a fleet of these crafts will eventually enter service in this remote region of the world.