Big cats on fast track New York City is the biggest stage in the world. Certainly, when the Spirit of Ontario I cruised into New York Harbor, it made a grand entrance, but not quite as originally envisioned. One of the fastest and most powerful diesel-powered vehicle ferries in the world, the Spirit sustained minor hull damage when it struck the pier on April 1 while it was docking at South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan. Visual inspection of the 284-foot-long, five-story high vessel showed that it had sustained a 25-foot-long gash along its starboard side above the waterline. Pieces of the pier penetrated the aluminum hull. The damage required two weeks’ worth of repairs, which required the postponement of a charity benefit cruise on April 30 and the inaugural voyage of the Spirit on May 1. Within hours of the accident, engineers at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., were already assessing the damage from digital pictures. Aluminum plate was quickly cut in Mobile and shipped to New York. Austal undertook the repairs at GMD’s pier at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The all-aluminum fast vehicle ferry was in New York City as part of one of the final legs in its 17,000-mile delivery voyage from Henderson, Western Australia, Australia to Rochester, N.Y. Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships was delivering the vessel to Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS) to initiate high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry service on Lake Ontario between Rochester and Toronto, Canada. The accident was the only thing that could slow the fast ferry. It is the fastest high-speed vehicle ferry ever built by Austal. In sea trials, the Spirit achieved speeds of 55 mph. MTU POWER FOR BIG CAT Propulsion for the big cat is supplied by four MTU 20 V 8000 diesel engines, which drive Wartsila Lips LJ120E waterjets via ZF 53000-1 NRH (non-reversing, horizontal) offset transmissions. Geislinger supplied the composite propulsion couplings and shafting. The vessel can reach a speed of 45.7 knots (52 mph/84 kph) at 308 tons deadweight. The four MTU 20V Series 8000 diesel engines deliver a total propulsive power of 44,000 hp at a rated speed of 1,150 rev/min. The fuel consumption is below 195 g/kWh across a very broad power range and less than 190g/kWh at the most economical point, while keeping NOx emissions below the limits required by IMO. Classed by Germanischer Lloyd, the Spirit has a passenger capacity of 774 and can carry up to 238 cars or 10 full-size trucks. With an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, the Spirit will cut commuter time by over 50%. Roll-on/ roll-off (RO/RO) capabilities allow for a fast loading of the two vehicle decks. The two passenger decks are nicely finished, with a duty-free shop, restaurants, bars, two movie theaters, and a children’s play area. Passengers will also have access to satellite TV and Internet access. START OF SOMETHING BIG Industry experts view the recent introduction of fast vehicle ferries into the U.S. market as only the tip of the iceberg. “There are a great many more opportunities for fast vehicle ferries. Certainly on the Great Lakes,” said Chris Pemberton, vice president of sales and marketing at Austal USA, speaking aboard the Spirit during a media tour in New York. “Projects are already being looked at for Lake Erie.” The Port of Erie Western Pennsylvania, for example, is trying to attract a high-speed vehicle ferry, as well as a new truck ferry service. Negotiations are also moving ahead for two high-speed vehicle ferries for Hawaii, according to Pemberton. “High power density, advanced technology, reliability, and expert service and support are the most important criteria to high-speed shipbuilders,” explained Bernard Bentgen, MTU’s newly named vice president, Marine Sales in NAFTA. “MTU is the world’s leader in innovative high-speed engines. Our clients have opted for our high quality products for decades, making us the market leader in the high speed marine business.” From its shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia and Mobile, Ala., Austal has built more than 80 fast ferries for customers worldwide. Its Mobile, Ala., shipyard, Austal USA was established in 1999 with U.S. partner Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. to construct aluminum vessels for the U.S. domestic market. Pemberton said, “Austal USA has already successfully completed six vessels including two high-speed passenger catamarans that are operating in New York” (for Circle Line Statue of Liberty). He adds that AustalUSA now has the capability to produce vessels such as Spirit of Ontario 1. It recently launched its largest ferry, a 58-meter catamaran, Lake Express, that will operate across Lake Michigan for Lake Express LLC. Austal and MTU have successfully partnered on a number of prestigious projects. This fall, Austal will launch one of the world’s largest high-speed ferries—a 126-meter high-speed trimaran with a capacity of 1,350 passengers and over 340 cars —for the Spanish ferry operator Fred. Olsen, SA. This breakthrough vessel, on which Austal’s Littoral Combat Ship design is based, will be powered by four MTU 20V Series 8000 diesel engines. ML Tell a friend: HOME