<p></p><p>The 75-foot Astoria is designed to flip upright if it capsizes and can reach speeds of 29 knots as it heads out to the Columbia River bar.</p>

A 75-foot specially designed pilot boat is headed to Astoria bearing the citys name on its bow and destined for use on the rough Columbia River bar.

The Astoria is expected to arrive later Friday and will replace the Chinook, a vessel that has been used by the Columbia River Bar Pilots since 2000.

The new boat was named Astoria by the organization to honor the city it calls home and which is historically linked with Columbia River maritime trade.

Capt. Robert Johnson, a bar pilot, said its likely this will be the first pilot boat named Astoria.

That is unique in the history of the pilot organization, he said.

The Astoria is the third pilot boat in a succession that started with the Chinook and then the Columbia, each one an improvement in design and technology.

The boat was designed by Camarc Design, a firm specializing in small vessels based in the United Kingdom. Built by Kvichak Marine Industries in Seattle, the boat can head out to the bar with a top speed of about 29 knots. Although its size may seem cumbersome, the boat is made of aluminum, making it swift in the choppy river waters.

The three boats were designed for use on the Columbia River bar and now 13 are in use around the world.

These boats, starting with the Chinook, are recognized throughout the world as leaders, Johnson said.

The boat is designed for maximum maneuverability. Two water jets with 1,410 horsepower drive the boat instead of propellers, which would be hazardous for an overboard pilot. The enhanced steering capabilities allow the boat to come close to cargo ships so pilots can climb aboard.

Were excited about getting a brand new boat that will continue our upgrading of our equipment to keep us state of the art and ahead of the industry, said Johnson.

The Astoria is designed to flip back upright if it capsizes, has a patented exterior to cushion its routine contact with steel hulled vessels and has multiple capabilities for rescuing a pilot from the water.

Johnson said the final trials and tests have been conducted on the Astoria in Seattle this week to make sure all the systems work.