Incat Crowther utility cat nears delivery

Recently launched by Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine at its Hobart, Tasmania, shipyard, Strait Shooter is a 28 m Incat Crowther design utility catamaran built for Carpentaria Contracting. The vessel will be based at the port of Weipa in Australia’s north and engaged in a broad range of offshore activities including survey, salvage, towing and service to offlying islands.

Strait Shooter is an evolution of the Incat Crowther designed Limitless, launched in 2009, that builds on the design features of Limitless, and adds some more features specifically developed for Carpentaria Contracting.

The greatest change has been to implement a large propeller tunnel to reduce the draft of the vessel.

Incar Crowther says that “aggressive propeller tunnels can be hugely detrimental if executed poorly,” but says its team of naval architects has developed a propeller tunnel shape thatsignificantly reduced the draft of the vessel without effecting its speed or efficiency.

Forward stairs have been added at the forward end of the upper deck, allowing quick and safe access from the wheelhouse to the foredeck for mooring activities.

Fendering has been increased, with tires forward as well as extended diagonal rubber fenders on the hull. An extra run of rubber fendering has been added to the aft end of the upper deck to give it extra protection when loading items onto the cargo deck.

The upper deck aft has been extended aft and integrated with the air trunks under, providing control areas for the vessel and crane, each with an excellent view over the cargo deck.

A large stern roller has been fitted to the transom, whilst structure and rails have also been added for a movable aft lifting platform.

As with Limitless, Strait Shooter is fitted with a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acert main engines, and achieved a speed of over 30 knots on recent performance trials.

Length Overall: 28.0 m

Length Waterline: 27.5 m

Beam: 8.5 m

Depth: 3.45 m

Fuel: 30 000 liters

Fresh Water: 1 500 liters

Sullage: 1 500 liters

Deck Area: 80 sq m

Deck Cargo: 20 t

Passengers: 50

Service Speed: 27 knots

Maximum Speed: 30 knots

Main Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C32 Acert

Installed Power: 2 x 1081kW @ 2300rpm

Gearboxes: 2 x Twin Disc MGX6599SC

Propulsion: 2 x Propellers

Construction Material: Marine Grade Aluminum

Flag: Australia

Class: USL / NSCV 2009 2A (12 pax) 1B (50 pax)

December 21, 2010