Australia: Incat Crowther Secures Catamaran Ferry Design Order

Incat Crowther announces a contract to design a 45m Catamaran Ferry for Costal Fast Ferries, the fourth vessel to be designed by Incat Crowther for the operator.

Following the Launch of Kilimanjaro III last year, Coastal Fast Ferries has continued to grow its operation. The extension of services to the island of Pemba with Kilimanjaro III has been so successful that the operator immediately considered how a fourth vessel could be used to gain the most out of the operation. Following a development process of close cooperation between builder, operator and designer, a 45m, 656-passegner quad-jet vessel was agreed upon. To be named Kilimanjaro IV, the new vessel will offer the operator a good balance of speed, passenger capacity and efficiency.

The main deck has two partitioned passenger spaces – an 86-seat business class cabin, and a 168-seat economy class cabin. Upstairs is a premium class cabin with 92 seats. All three of these cabins have their own independent boarding ramps on both sides of the vessel. Additional boarding is provided on the upper deck aft.

Exterior economy class seating is provided on the upper aft deck (130 seats) and on the roof deck (90 seats).

In addition to the increased passenger capacity, the vessel is notable for its large main deck luggage room, capable of carrying 32 suitcase carts. This room also gives the operator freight transfer capacity. Crew accommodation is provided in the hulls, by way of 4 twin cabins and a bathroom.

The vessel will be powered by a quartet of Cummins KTA 50 M2 main engines, giving commonality with the earlier vessels. Propulsion will be through Hamilton HM651 waterjets. The vessel will have a service speed of 34 knots, with a maximum speed of 36 knots.

Kilimanjaro IV again demonstrates the expertise and experience Incat Crowther brings to operators, assisting them in developing an efficient, profitable vessel.

[mappress]

World Maritime News Staff, February 16, 2012; Image: Incat Crowther