Incat Crowther contracted to design a 34m catamaran ferry
Passenger Ferry for Fullers Group Ltd, the operator of the Auckland ferry network. The vessel, under construction at New Zealand builder Q-West, is the result of a thorough review of the network requirements, in which Incat Crowther worked closely with Fullers to develop a vessel that is optimized to the network requirements and existing infrastructure and offers operational flexibility, the designing firm said.
The vessel’s 338 passengers will be accommodated over two decks, in a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. The main deck seats 212 passengers in its main cabin. There is a kiosk at the rear of the cabin, between a pair of large doorways designed to facilitate fast boarding and egress. Luggage racks are fitted adjacent to the entry doors. Lift up-seats and a curtain to port provide for a sick bay. A wide set of stairs leads to the upper deck, where 82 passengers are seated on an open deck protected by a fabric awning. Further kiosk facilities and a pair of additional WCs are forward of this, as well as a passenger cabin seating 44 passengers. Additional capacity exists for 50 standing passengers.
At the forward end of the upper deck is an asymmetric wheelhouse. The frequently used starboard wing control station is enclosed, whilst the port side is dedicated to a crew access via stairs to the foredeck. The foredeck will be configured to carry palletised cargo, with a Palfinger deck crane.
Bicycle racks will be fitted to the main deck aft.
Passenger boarding is enhanced by the fitment of large side gates on both deck levels, as well as hinging articulated ramps mounted on the transom port and starboard. These ramps are designed to integrate with the existing shore based infrastructure, and offer a fast turnaround time.
Incat Crowther is a medium size naval architecture firm offering a diverse range of solutions for demanding applications, with an emphasis on efficiency, reliability, safety and practicality.
The vessel will be powered by a pair of Cummins QSK 38 main engines, each producing 1044kW at 1800rpm. The vessel will be fitted with dry exhaust systems which, along with the engine room air outlets, will exit high above the upper deck. This will reduce fumes and noise in passenger areas, and is typical of vessels in the Fullers fleet.
Maneuverability will be aided by a bow thruster in the port hull.
Australia-based Incat Crowther is a medium size naval architecture firm offering a diverse range of solutions for demanding applications, with an emphasis on efficiency, reliability, safety and practicality.