Ultramar Takes Delivery of Catamaran Ferry

 

Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Midship Marine in Louisiana, Ultramar is specifically designed for the operator’s busy Playa de Carmen – Cozumel run, offering high capacity, high durability and a world-class passenger experience.

 

Carrying 844 passengers on a relatively short run, turnaround is paramount. Ultramar is optimized for a fast turnaround with multiple boarding areas over two decks. A pair of boarding ramps is located on the mid and main decks at amidships for passenger loading, while an additional pair aft gives direct access to the cargo room. This cost effective system has been proven on other Incat Crowther vessels where efficient turnaround of high passenger and cargo volumes has been a requirement.

 

The main deck aft cabin seats 211 passengers, whilst the forward end of the vessel’s main deck features a premium class area with 64 seats. The foredeck seats 50 passengers.

 

The mid deck seats 203 outside and 52 inside. There is a stage at the forward end of the outdoor seating area on this deck for musicians to entertain passengers. Above, the roof deck seats 264 passengers.

 

Large staircases move passengers comfortably and efficiently through the vessel and large communal spaces give a feeling of openness which belies the capacity of the vessel. Continuing Ultramar’s commitment to an innovative fleet, large panoramic windows are complemented by high-tech lighting and high-end finishes.

 

Painted in Ultramar’s distinctive yellow and blue livery, the vessel is set off by the operator’s signature underwater LED lighting and its remarkable level of fit-out. As a consequence, the operator’s market share has jumped to almost 70 percent despite two other operators on the same run. A second vessel is under construction and is due later this year.

 

Ultramar is powered by a pair of Yanmar 12AYM-WGT main engines, each producing 1,340kW at 1940 rpm, offering an efficient service speed of 18 knots, and a maximum speed of 24 knots.

 

Ultramar is the fourth vessel delivered to the operator to an Incat Crowther design. Construction of a sister ship is well progressed at Midship Marine, together with eight lower capacity low wash vessels for the same operator.

 

Length Overall: 160’ 2” / 48.8m

Length Waterline: 146’ 6” / 44.7m

Beam Overall: 36’ 2” / 11.0m

Draft (hull): 5’ 7” / 1.7m

Draft (prop): 7’ 1” / 2.15m

Depth: 13’ 2” / 4.0m

Construction: Marine grade aluminum

 

Fuel Oil (Day Tanks): 2,642 gallons / 10,000 liters

Fuel Oil (Long Range Tanks): 2,642 gallons / 10,000 liters

Fresh Water: 396 gallons / 1,500 liters

Sullage: 396 gallons / 1,500 liters

Passengers: 844

Crew: 8

 

Speed (Service): 20 knots

Speed (Max): 24 knots

Main Engines: 2 x Yanmar 12AYM-WGT

Power: 2 x 1,340kW @ 1,940rpm

Propulsion: 2 x Propellers

Generators: 2 x Cummins 6C-CP

Flag: Mexico