The coastal scenery of Chile’s Patagonia supports a growing cruise industry that welcomed its latest entrant when the MV Atmosphere was launched at the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard at Valdivia in the South of Chile. The owners of the new 45 by 10-meter ship are promising deluxe accommodation for 36 passengers to be cared for by a crew of 24. Following her November delivery, the ship will cruise the central and southern Chilean Patagonia, covering over 750 kilometers/405 nautical miles from the bay of Puerto Montt (latitude 41°28' S and longitude 72°56' W) to the Taitao peninsula (latitude 46°41' S and longitude 73°57' W).
The Atmosphere, which has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, will be equipped with a Zodiac, jet boats and a Bell 407 helicopter to take guest on adventure sightseeing and fly fishing expeditions to isolated rivers. A four fin stabilizer system has been installed for additional passenger comfort.
The Valparaiso-registered ship, classed ABS A1 (E) Passenger Vessel AMS, has a water-line length of 41.65 meters, a 10-meter beam and a 4.4-meter molded depth. Main propulsion is provided by a pair of Cummins KTA38M0 engines each delivering 850 hp at 1800 RPM to variable pitch propellers.