Incat Crowther contracted to design 33m Catamaran Dive Vessel for Dive Under Cruise & Dive
Incat Crowther has signed a contract to design a 33m Catamaran Dive Vessel for Down Under Cruise & Dive based in Cairns, Australia. Construction of the vessel is well underway at Marine Engineering Consultants on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the shipbuilder said Thursday in a press release.
Incat Crowther were approached by Down Under Cruise & Dive to create a design that offered the ultimate passenger experience, with the class and style of a motor yacht, yet retained the rugged and efficient properties of an aluminium commercial vessel. Incat Crowther responded to the brief with an attractive, spacious and comfortable vessel that maximizes the passengers’ experience on the reef.
Interior spaces are large and well glazed, and outdoor spaces are fit out with comfortable lounges and well protected from the sun.
However, the vessel’s great party trick will be when she’s at rest at the reef. Not only will she feature a lifting stern platform (of which Incat Crowther were pioneers on their early-1980s reef vessels), she will also feature aft port and starboard fold-down platforms. When positioned, these three platforms will encircle the aft end of the vessel providing ample comfortable and safe access to the water.
Boarding will be via gates aft and at amidships on the main deck, as well as additional gates on the upper deck.
The main cabin has seats for 151 in a mixture of booth configurations. Passengers are served by two large catering spaces aft – a bar to port and a kiosk to starboard. Aft of this are toilets and access to the aft deck, complete with wetsuit, snorkel and dive tank storage spaces.
A large set of stairs on the aft main deck leads to the upper deck, with outdoor seating and the lifeguard’s lookout. Inside the upper deck cabin, there booth seating for 46 passengers, as well as a VIP room for 10. Forward of the wheelhouse are integral and comfortable sun lounges for passengers to relax, as well as a stairway down to the foredeck.
The roof deck features forward-facing seats as well as lounges aft. This deck is covered by a solid roof and accommodates 70 passengers, offering exceptional visibility and comfort.
The vessel is to be fitted with two MAN D2862 LE463 engines which will power the vessel to a 25 knot cruising speed.
Upon developing the concept in partnership with Down Under Cruise & Dive, Incat Crowther performed an extensive build tender process on behalf of the operator, demonstrating the breadth of expertise and service available to achieve a successful outcome.