High Speed Fishing/Dive Catamaran Delivered to Asia

The most recent application of Image Marine’s expertise in producing custom vessels for comfort and recreation afloat is a 72-ft. (22 m) aluminium catamaran destined for the waters of South East Asia. While live-aboard dive boats and dinner cruisers continue to generate widespread acclaim for Image’s tourism vessels among commercial operators, this latest completion has been built and outfitted to meet the needs of a private owner. Image Marine’s Sales Manager, Mark Stothard, explains that the trade and private spheres share some common requirements. “Regardless of whether the boat is intended for personal enjoyment or profit-making, owners want a boat that will be comfortable, reliable, well-built, economical to operate and easy to maintain. They also demand a reasonable purchase price,” he said. “Having built our reputation in the highly competitive world of commercial shipbuilding, meeting these requirements is standard procedure at Image Marine, no matter what sort of boat we are building or who the owner is,” Mr Stothard added. Image Marine’s extensive experience in producing high quality finishes using standard commercial materials is evidenced by live-aboard dive vessels like True North, Aqua Cat and the recently completed Island Explorer, and was a key factor in winning the contract to build Haruku. So, too, was the proven ability to apply these skills in a private vessel, notably the stylish 36 metre White Rabbit delivered in 2000. Building to customer’s particular requirements is another Image Marine specialty. Normally this involves Image’s experienced sales and naval architecture team working closely with the client to develop a design that best encompasses all the attributes required of the vessel. In this instance, however, the owner had already selected an independent design so the success of Image’s tender was based on the yard’s ability to demonstrate that it could take the design from the drawing board to reality better than competing tenderers. “While we prefer to build our own designs, we recognise that clients sometimes have a particular preference for a certain design or designer. Our willingness to build to an independent design is just another demonstration of our customer service philosophy,” Mark Stothard explained. Although Sydney-based Incat Designs provided the wave-piercing catamaran design, Image Marine was still heavily involved in the detail of the vessel, working in conjunction with both the designer and owner on such areas as material and equipment selection, right down to the colour scheme and furnishings. This included working closely with the owner to develop engineering solutions that would be simple to operate, repair and maintain, taking into account the facilities and skills available in the operational area. Outfitted to a similar standard to the Image live-aboard True North, Haruku’s interior includes a combined lounge / dining area, galley, owner’s cabin and two guest cabins on main deck. The main living area features a dining table and chairs to port, five seat lounge suite and an entertainment centre that includes an integrated stereo system. Lighting combines downlights including feature perimeter lighting. The Amtico floor and stretched vinyl deckhead both combine aesthetics with practicality. Also on the port side is the galley, which has ample storage and bench space to allow the preparation of meals for 10 or more guests. The servery counter doubles as a breakfast bar. The owner’s suite and two guest cabins are located forward. Each guest cabin sleeps two (one double, one twin) and features wardrobe and drawer units providing ample storage. All cabins have low voltage feature downlights. The owner’s suite has a Queen size bed, writing desk, as well as extensive wardrobe and drawer space. Whereas the guests share a central bathroom, the owner’s cabin has a private en suite. Particular attention has been paid to eliminating unwanted noise so that the vessel’s owner and guests can derive maximum enjoyment from their time aboard. The interior provides a relaxing haven regardless of whether Haruku is at rest in a secluded cove or passage making at speeds up to 25 knots but the catamaran’s attractions do not end there. Aft on main deck there is a fishing station, complete with stainless steel sink and lighting under the bulwarks to provide indirect illumination when chasing the catch at night. Flood lights are fitted for occasions when more light is required. Swimmers and divers are equally well provided for, with bench seating incorporating stowage for 10 to 12 dive bottles, and stairs leading to transom swim platforms. These also provide access to a lifting dive platform that can be submerged to make divers’ entry and exit from the water effortless. When raised, the dive platform is used to store the vessel’s tender. Crew cabins in each hull are also reached via the swim platforms. The central wheelhouse combines control and comfort, with an L-shaped lounge in the aft port corner allowing passengers to appreciate the vistas from the raised position. Wheel, engine controls, radar, depth sounder, GPS/plotter, autopilot and communications gear are all logically arranged in a single console, putting everything in easy reach of the helm chair. A second steering position is located in the covered flybridge. Reached directly from the wheelhouse, this features comfortable seating for up to six guests, and views of and access to the aft deck. Powered by twin 522kW Cummins KTA19 diesels driving fixed pitch propellers, Haruku achieved a speed of 25.5 knots during sea trials in August and with up to 8,200 litres of fuel can steam for over 24 hours without refuelling.