Two Incat Crowther Catamaran Ferries for Auckland
Incat Crowther reports that construction has commenced at Q-West in Wanganui, New Zealand, on a pair of additional 34m catamaran passenger ferries for Fullers Group Ltd. The new boats will be sister ships to Te Kotuku which was also built at Q-West and delivered in 2014.
The vessels will carry 401 passengers and include the addition of a sun deck.
The main deck features seats for 174, a large café, luggage racks and wide access doors. Also fitted will be two toilets (one of which is handicap-accessible) and racks for 14 bicycles.
The upper deck features 76 exterior seats and 81 interior seats. An additional bar and pair of toilets are also located on the upper deck.
The wheelhouse retains its successful asymmetric configuration, designed in consideration of the operational requirements. The frequently used starboard wing control station is enclosed for protection from the elements, while the port side is dedicated to crew access via stairs to the foredeck, which houses palletised cargo and a deck crane.
While largely the same, one key difference in the new vessels are larger engines, carrying the increased deadweight and offering improved performance and efficiency. The vessels feature conventional fixed pitch propellers and offer an efficient loaded service speed of 26 knots.
The vessel will be fitted with a dry exhaust system which, along with the engine room air outlets, will exit high above the upper deck. This configuration, which reduces fumes and noise in passenger areas, is typical of vessels in the Fullers fleet.
SPECIFICATIONS - 34m CATAMARAN PASSENGER FERRY
Length o.a. 111’ 7” / 34m
Length w.l. 110’ 11” / 33.8m
Beam o.a. 31’ 3” / 9.5m
Draft (hull) 4’ / 1.20
Draft (prop) 5’ 11” / 1.8m
Depth 10’ / 3.05m
Construction Marine grade aluminium
Fuel Oil 2113 gallons
Fresh Water 793 gallons
Sullage 793 gallons
Passengers 401
Crew 5
Speed (Service) 26 knots
Speed (Max) 30 knots
Main Engines 2 x Cummins QSK50-M
Power 2 x 1342kW (1800hp) @ 1975rpm
Propulsion 2 x Fixed-pitch propellers
Generators 2 x 100 kVA Cummins 6B-CP
Flag New Zealand
Class / Survey Maritime New Zealand