Gladding-Hearn delivers high speed Incat Crowther ferry

Ferry's top speed is 34 knots

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 — Hy-Line Cruises, a division of Hyannis Harbor Tours, Inc., Hyannis, MA, has taken delivery of a new 493-passenger, high-speed catamaran from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, the Duclos Corporation.

It will provide year-round passenger service between Hyannis and Nantucket Island and is the fourth Incat-Crowther fast ferry built by the Somerset, MA, shipyard for the Cape Cod passenger ferry company.

Larger and more stylish in design than previous vessels, the new, all-aluminum ferry measures 153.5 feet (46.8 m) long, 34.5 feet (10.5 m) at the beam, and draws approximately 8 feet (2.5 m), loaded.

It is powered by four Cummins QSK60-M, EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, each delivering 2200 bhp at 1800 rpm. Each engine powers a Hamilton HM721 water jet through a Twin Disc MG61500SC horizontally-offset gearbox.

The ferry’s top speed is over 34 knots when fully loaded at a dead-weight of more than 64 tonnes, including 6.4 tonnes of luggage, said shipyard president Peter Duclos, president of the shipyard.

In the event of a failure of one of the propulsion systems, the boat will still keep the schedule, but will require full power from the remaining three engines.

“This kind of margin and redundancy is just prudent business for a ferry that will operate close to 5,000 hours per year,” said Mr. Duclos.

Each hull is equipped with a 125 kW Cummins QSB7-D (M), EPS Tier 3 generator.

Like Hy-Line’s current high-speed catamarans, the new ferry is outfitted with a Naiad Dynamics trim-tab, ride-control system to improve passenger comfort and safety. The system’s motion sensor measures the relative movement of the vessel and transmits an electrical signal to the appropriate hydraulic device to counter the boat’s action through the waves.

“By keeping the unwanted motion and steering to a minimum, the system can also minimize the speed loss in rough seas,” says Mr. Duclos.

The main cabin seats 160 passengers and includes a full service concession, heating and air conditioning, two heads, and a large luggage room aft.

An etched-glass screen separates the passenger seating area from the concession and condiment counters.

The second deck, with interior seating for 154 passengers, features heating and air conditioning, premium seating forward, three heads, interior and exterior cocktail bars, and exterior seating for 46 passengers.

The premium seating area for 32 is separated from the main passenger area by a half-height bulkhead with glass screens.

The third deck, with the pilothouse forward, provides exterior seating for 137 passengers.

Access to the wheelhouse, which is equipped with centerline and port and starboard engine and waterjet controls, is from exterior doors in the aft bulkhead.