Noumea operator orders second Austal monohull passenger ferry

Noumea, New Caledonia, based Mary D Enterprises, has selected Austal to design and construct a 35 m high speed monohull passenger ferry. It will carry 138 passengers on two decks and will be the company’s second Austal vessel. Principally intended for operation between Noumea and Amadee Island, it will also service other locations on New Caledonia’s south and west coasts. The new vessel will joining the Austal-built Mary D Dolphin, which has transported more than 300,000 passengers on the Amadee Island route since its delivery in 1998.

The new vessel will be one of only a small number of monohull ferries fully compliant with the IMO High Speed Craft (HSC) Code 2000. This is a significant step for Mary D Enterprises in modernizing its fleet and in maintaining compliance with French regulations that now require adoption of the full HSC Code on all high speed vessels flying the French Flag.

Sylvie Helmy, General Manager of Mary D Enterprises, said Austal’s experience was instrumental in the choice of shipbuilder.

“We have always had great service and know the level of knowledge Austal has acquired over the years so the choice was easy,” she said.”Austal has proven experience not only in shipbuilding in general, but also in building vessels to French Flag requirements, which can be challenging at times.”

Austal Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Bellamy, said the contract added to the company’s history of repeat customer business.

“Maintaining and supporting existing customer relationships is a core focus of Austal. We are very pleased that Mary D Enterprises has again selected Austal to design and construct their next vessel.”

“A significant factor in the selection of a shipbuilder is the knowledge that the client is signing with an experienced and proven designer and builder of high speed craft, and as such, we look forward to working with Mary D Enterprises once again to create a customised vessel that best meets their requirements,” said Mr Bellamy.

The ferry will be powered by three MTU 12V2000 engines coupled to Hamilton waterjets giving a speed of 34 knots. It will be built at Austal’s Western Australian facility and is scheduled for delivery in November 2011.

Vessel Specifications

Principal Particulars
Length overall: 35.20 m
Length waterline: 30.70 m
Beam (molded): 7.00 m
Depth (molded): 2.70 m
Hull draft (approx): 1.30 m

Capacity
Passengers: 138
Crew: 12

Main engines: 3 x MTU 12V2000M72 (IMO Tier 2 compliant)
Waterjets: 3 x Hamilton HM 521

Performance Speed: 34 knots

Classification Lloyds Register +100A1 SSC Passenger(A), Mono HSC, LDC, G3, LMC
Flag: French Flag

February 9, 2011