New Seastreak cat will have Rolls-Royce power and propulsion

Written by Nick Blenkey
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When delivered, new Seastreak cat will be the highest passenger capacity USCG K-class high-speed ferry in the United States

OCTOBER 20, 2016 — The 600 passenger Incat Crowther designed catamaran passenger ferry on order at Gulf Craft LLC’s Franklin, LA, shipyard for New York ferry operator Seastreak LLC (see earlier story) will have Rolls-Royce power and propulsion.

In addition, three existing Seastreak vessels (Highlands, New York and New Jersey) will be upgraded and repowered with Rolls-Royce equipment over the next several years.

When delivered, the new cat will be the highest passenger capacity USCG K-class high-speed ferry in the United States. It will carry up to 600 passengers between Monmouth County, NJ, and Wall Street in less than 40 minutes at a top speed of 35 knots.

Power will come from four high-speed MTU diesel engines type 12V 4000 M64 from Rolls-Royce. The engines will be EPA Tier III compliant and offer the lowest emissions on the market. The four engines will drive four Rolls-Royce Kamewa 63S4 waterjets, providing both reliability and redundancy.

This new vessel, together with improvements to the three existing Seastreak-class vessels, will require the investment of more than $24 million dollars.

Seastreak’s President, James A. Barker, said: “These investments reflect our continuing commitment to our customers, and ensures that they will enjoy a modern, reliable and comfortable ferry fleet for many years to come.”

Tor-Gunnar Hovig, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Offshore & Merchant Solutions North America, said: “The combination of Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets and MTU high-speed diesel engines will help Seastreak transport thousands of customers every day economically, reliably and sustainably. We’re delighted that Seastreak has not only selected Rolls-Royce technology for their newest vessel but also to repower three of their existing fleet.”

The new ferry will include the latest in luxury seating, panoramic windows,interior design featuring all-LED lighting, flat screen TVs viewable from any seat, multiple dedicated charging stations, Wi-Fi, and high-tech HVAC systems.

The passenger seating arrangement will consist of 520 interior seats with an additional 206 exterior seats located on the second and third deck.

To be known as the Commodore class, it is expected to be delivered in 2017.

The upgrade and repower of three existing Seastreak class vessels will start with the Seastreak New York this winter. Seastreak plans to upgrade and repower one vessel per year each winter.

All three vessels will be refitted with modern Tier 3 MTU 16V 4000 M64 engines driving Rolls-Royce waterjets.

Rolls-Royce says the new engine and jet configuration will not only be cleaner burning, and better for the environment, but will also remove approximately 20 tons of weight, helping greatly with speed, and efficiency.

The upgrades will also involve new custom seating, windows, and carpeting, as well as other mechanical upgrades.

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