Midship Marine to build ferry for Mexican operator

FEBRUARY 10, 2014 — Midship Marine, Harvey, LA, is to build a 48 m Incat Crowther design catamaran passenger ferry for UltraMar of Cancun, Mexico. It will operate on UltraMar’s busy Playa de Carmen – Cozumel run and will be the operator’s fourth Incat Crowther design, Midship Marine built ferry.

The success of the previously delivered 250 passenger Ultrajet I, Ultrajet II and Ultrajet III on UltraMar’s Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujueres route brought it back to the same designer and shipyard for a higher capacity vessel for the Cozumel operation. High on the priority list were loading and disembarking more than 800 passengers, upgraded cargo handling and a robust platform that could handle high turnarounds and exposed dock facilities.

The vessel will have two sets of hinged boarding ramps. A pair will be located on the mid and main decks at amidships for passenger loading, whilst an aft pair will give direct access to the cargo room, which will be loaded via a portable conveyor belt. This cost effective system has been well proven on other Incat Crowther vessels where efficient turnaround of high passenger and cargo volumes has been a requirement. The boarding ramps will be supplemented by large staircases inside and out to further aid movement.

The main deck aft cabin will seat 218 passengers while the forward end of the main deck will feature a premium class area. This area will have 64 seats at increased pitch and width, fitted with folding tables. The foredeck will seat 50 passengers.

The mid deck seats 209 outside and 60 inside. There is a stage at the forward end of the outdoor seating area on this deck for musicians to entertain passengers.

There will be further seating, for 216, on the roof deck.

The vessel will be powered by a pair of Yanmar 12AYM-WGT main engines, each producing 1,340 kW at 1,900rpm, providing a service speed of 24 knots, and a maximum speed of 28 knots.

To be finished in UltraMar’s distinctive yellow and blue livery, the vessel will grab even more attention during evening service with the fitment of the operator’s signature underwater LED lighting.

Length Overall:     48.8 m
Length Waterline:     44.7 m
Beam:     11.0 m
Draft Hull:     1.6 m
Draft Max:     2.0 m
Depth:     4.0 m
Passengers:     817
Crew:     8
Fuel (Day Tanks):     10,000 liters
Fuel (Delivery Tanks):     10,000 liters
Fresh Water:     1,500 liters
Sullage:     1,500 liters
Service Speed:     24
Maximum Speed:     28
Main Engines:     2 x Yanmar 12AYM-WGT
Installed Power:     2 x 1340kW @ 1940rpm
Propulsion:     2 x Propellers
Generators:     2 x Cummins 6C-CP
Construction Material:     Marine Grade Aluminum
Flag:     Mexico
Class:     USCG Subchapter K e.