Two Incat Ferries Launched

Incat Designs - Sydney announced the launches of two new ferries. The 43m Seastreak Highlands was launched at Gladding Hearn's Massachusetts (USA) yard in late February. This was followed by the launch of 58m RoPax Ferry MiCAT (pictured) by Cairns boatbuilder NQEA Australia one week later.

Seastreak Highlands is the 165th Incat Designs - Sydney vessel to be constructed, and will join sister ships Seastreak New Jersey, Seastreak Wall Street and Seastreak New York on the run from Downtown New York to Atlantic Highlands. These four new vessels are complemented by two other Incat Designs ferries, Seastreak Manhattan and Seastreak Liberty, operating from downtown to South Amboy. The four new ferries have proven very successful on this difficult route, with Seastreak New York approaching 10,000 operating hours since entering service three years ago next month. The vessels provide commuters from Atlantic Highlands with a smooth, fast and comfortable ride to the city. Seastreak Highlands includes some improvements in capacities over the earlier three vessels, specifically an increase in sewage and fresh water tankage, as well as 30 extra passenger seats.

MiCAT, the 167th Incat Designs - Sydney vessel to be constructed, will carry predominantly off-road vehicles to Moreton Island, in Queensland (AUS) from Hawkins Transport's Brisbane terminal. This vessel is a notable achievement in the way it blends modern technology with the workhorse nature of Hawkins Transport's original barge, MV Moreton Venture. The result is a vessel with the excellent seakeeping and superior interior comfort of a modern Incat Designs catamaran, a 12m wide vehicle deck capable of carrying heavy vehicles and a bow ramp for unloading vehicles on to the beach at Moreton Island. The vessel represents a significant increase in capacity and speed for Hawkins Transport.