Incat Crowther designs new Rocket for Sydney Harbor

APRIL 30, 2013 — Currently under construction at the Richardson Devine Marine shipyard in Tasmania is a new generation ferry that will join the fleet of Rocket ferries operated throughout Sydney Harbor by Captain Cook Cruises, a subsidiary of Australia’s SeaLink Travel Group.

The 24 m aluminum catamaran has been designed by Incat Crowther which has worked closely with SeaLink to develop a vessel that offers exceptional value to the operator, with tangible measures taken to reduce both capital investment and running costs. In addition to low fuel usage, machinery selection and systems design has focused on reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

The vessel will feature a main passenger cabin with seats for 116 passengers. A further 31 seats are located on the aft deck. Toilets are located adjacent to the stairs to the upper deck. Large hinged engine hatches provide ample access to the engine rooms for day-to-day maintenance tasks.

Boarding gates are located on the foredeck, with particular attention paid to their visibility from the wheelhouse. Behind the wheelhouse, an open upper deck has seats for 51 passengers, with ample space for passengers to stand and view the sights.

The vessel will be certified to carry 127 passengers in coastal operation and 198 passengers in harbor operation.

Powered by a pair of Scania DI13 070M main engines, the vessel will operate at a loaded service speed of 22 knots, with a top speed of 24knots.

SPECIFICATIONS – 24m CATAMARAN PASSENGER FERRY

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

Length Overall 78′ 5″ / 23.9 m
Length Waterline 77′ 2″ / 23.5 m
Beam Overall 23′ 8″ / 7.2 m
Draft (hull) 3′ 4″ / 1.0 m
Draft (prop) 4′ 8″ / 1.4 m
Depth 7′ 3″ / 2.2 m
Construction     Marine grade aluminium
CAPACITIES
Fuel Oil 528 gallons / 2,000 liters
Fresh Water 66 gallons / 250 liters
Sullage 396 gallons / 1,500 litres
Passengers 198 (1D) 127 (1C) Crew 3

PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE
Speed (Service) 22 knots
Speed (Max) 24 knots
Main Engines 2 x Scania DI13 070M Power 2 x 368kW @ 1,800rpm
Propulsion 2 x Propellers

REGULATORY
Flag Australia Class / Survey NSCV 1C/1D