Aquila is the 10th 64 in what has become known as Northern Marine’s Aquila Class. “On this project the engineering cycle was a bit different,” Taricco said. “Everything had to be sent to Washington, D.C., for approval prior to starting the actual build.” This 64 is the first to have been designed to comply with the stringent regulations regarding the design, functionality, operational efficiency and safety of U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T-class and to be certified as such.

Taricco’s input helped establish Aquila’s character, especially inside. Her interior arrangement suits her commercial purpose. For example, the large salon allows everyone to be comfortable after a day of diving or exploring; the galley has enough stowage space for stores to feed everyone aboard while away from port for extended periods; the engine room is designed for ease of operation; and the pilothouse is nothing short of a skipper’s dream. The 64 normally has the pantry and laundry center below, but during the mock-up phase, Taricco and the builder discovered unused space beneath the stairs, which became the pantry and laundry room. Up forward, they changed the size of some doors and passageways and the layout of the crew mess, and added a wet head outside, enabling divers or others to utilize it before coming inside.