Bermuda Ferry Returns to Gladding-Hearn for Refit

Resolute, one of two high-speed passenger catamarans delivered by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation to Bermuda's Ministry on Transport in 2002, has returned to the shipyard for a complete refit. The project’s completion is scheduled for May 2021.

Designed by Incat Design (currently Incat Crowther), the all-aluminum 250-passenger vessel measures 84 feet long, 30 feet abeam and draws 5.3 feet.

Among myriad items to remove, repair or replace is replacing the vessel’s Detroit Diesel engines with new engine controls and monitoring systems to operate twin MTU 10V2000M72 diesel engines, each delivering 1205 hp at 2250 rpm. With new shafts, seals and bearing, the engines are paired with new ZF gears to turn new 5-bladed Ni-Br-Al propellers. Each hull will be equipped with a new Northern Lights 40kW generator. The main engine and generator exhaust piping, with new lagging, and the seawater cooling piping will be modified to accommodate the new engines. The existing hydraulic steering will be replaced with a new Kobelt hydraulic system. The repowered ferry is expected to have a service speed of 27 knots, with a fully-loaded deadweight of 20 metric tons at a conservative 85% power. 

In the main cabin with seating for 110 passengers, the Beurteaux seats will be reupholstered, interior bulkheads relined and the carpeting replaced. New Dampa white panels will replace the old ceiling system.  All of the windows will be replaced.  Throughout the vessel, AC and DC lighting will be replaced with LED lighting. The existing 150,000 Btu HVAC system will receive new condensers and evaporators. The two heads will be refurbished and the black/grey water holding capacity increase to comply with zero discharge requirements.

With seating for 98 passengers on the partially-covered second deck, the seats will be removed and reinstalled on welded flanges.

In the wheelhouse, the vessel will be equipped with a new David Clark 9100 digital intercom system in addition to a digital message player. New electronics include Simrad GPS/radar and a Furuno loud hailer system.

The vessel’s exterior will be completely recoated.

In order to maintain class certificates, the refit will be inspected by Lloyd's Register of Shipping.