Gladding-Hearn Delivers Ferry for State Ferry Operator

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has delivered Iyanough, a new 393 passenger, high-speed ferry, to the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority in Massachusetts. The all-aluminum catamaran, designed by Incat-Crowther in Sidney, Australia, is 154 feet (47m) long and 39-feet (12m) abeam. It draws only 5.3-feet (1.6m). The vessel, which will operate a 26-mile route from Hyannis, Mass., to Nantucket, features Incat’s “S-Bow” hull shape to provide additional reserve buoyancy during very large seas. “The S-Bow hull shape has lower resistance and better sea-keeping than a conventional catamaran hull,” Peter Duclos, Gladding-Hearn’s president, explained. “This hull has excellent directional stability and is more tolerant of changes in trim and displacement.” The Steamship Authority’s second fast ferry is powered by four MTU 12V-4000M70 diesel engines, each delivering 2335Bhp at 2000 rpm and propelled by a Hamilton HM-721 waterjet through a ZF-4650D reverse-reduction gearbox. “The Steamship Authority chose four engines in order to keep the schedule at less than 85 percent power or with three engines at 95 percent power,” said Duclos.

Equipped with a VT/MDI active interceptor motion control system, the vessel’s top speed, in moderate sea conditions, is 38 knots when fully loaded with a deadweight of 51 metric tones at 100% MCR. According to Duclos, the vessel’s fuel consumption is about 445 gallons per hour. Designed for zero discharge, the vessel includes five heads. With interior sound levels of 72 dba, the main and upper cabins feature Beurteaux seating, heating and air-conditioning, along with energy-efficient, double-glazed windows. Additionally, there is a digital audio/visual public address system with nine displays throughout the vessel and a snack bar in the main cabin. A separate luggage room carries more than 14,000 pounds of luggage and 24 bicycles.