The re-fit of the 43m Catamaran Ferry Seastreak Wall Street has been completed successfully. Seastreak Wall Street was the third of four such vessels built by Gladding Hearn in Massachusetts, and was launched in 2003.
Incat Crowther provided a comprehensive design service, preparing detailed drawings and documentation including revised Coast Guard submissions. Following a competitive tender process, the contract to perform the modification was awarded to Midship Marine of Louisiana.
The engine re-power involved a considerable re-configuration of the aft end of the vessel. The topsides and the undersides of the hulls were removed from the waterline down, from the forward engine room bulkhead aft. New engine beds, longitudinal stiffeners and plating were fabricated to support the new engines, propellers and rudders.
The re-fit also included gutting the interior, repainting the vessel and fitting the interior with new carpet and toilets. The framed windows were also replaced with direct-glazing.
As a result, Sea Streak Wall Street is now 15 tonnes lighter than originally built. She recently underwent sea trials, recording speeds of 35 knots. At equivalent deadweights, this represents a reduction in top speed of only 3 knots, despite a significant reduction in power and half the number of main propulsion engines. Combined with an increased in passenger capacity, the refit will see per-passenger CO2 emissions halved.
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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 29, 2012; Image: incatcrowther