Q-West starts construction of two catamaran ferries

JANUARY 14, 2016 — New Zealand builder Q-West’s Wanganui shipyard has started construction of two 34 m catamarans.

They represent a NZ$16 million (about US$10.3 million) investment by operator Fullers Group Ltd which says the new vessels mean it can further commit to consistency of vessel, higher frequency and a traveling speed of 26 knots on its 20 daily Auckland – Waiheke services.

Designed by Incat Crowther, the new vessels will be sister ships to Te Kotuku, delivered by Q-West in 2014, but will have an additional sun deck, and will carry 401 passengers.

The main deck features seats for 174, a large café, luggage racks and wide access doors. Also fitted will be two toilets (one of which is handicap-accessible) and racks for 14 bicycles.

The upper deck features 76 exterior seats and 81 interior seats. An additional bar and pair of toilets are also located on the upper deck.

The wheelhouse has an asymmetric configuration. The frequently used starboard wing control station is enclosed for protection from the elements, while the port side is dedicated to crew access via stairs to the foredeck, which houses palletized cargo and a deck crane.

Passenger boarding is by large side gates on the main deck, or via hydraulic hinging articulated ramps mounted on the transom port and starboard that integrate with the existing shore based infrastructure and offer a fast turnaround time.

The new vessels will have larger engines, carrying the increased deadweight and offering improved performance and efficiency, and conventional fixed pitch propellers.

They will be fitted with a dry exhaust system which, along with the engine room air outlets, will exit high above the upper deck. This configuration, which reduces fumes and noise in passenger areas, is typical of vessels in the Fullers fleet.

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

Length Overall     111′ 7″ / 34.0 m
Length Waterline     110′ 11″ / 33.8 m
Beam Overall     31′ 3″ / 9.5 m
Draft (hull)     4′ / 1.20 m
Draft (prop)     5′ 11″ / 1.8 m
Depth     10′ 0″ / 3.05 m
Construction     Marine grade aluminum

PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE

Speed (Service) 26 knots
Speed (Max) 30 knots
Main Engines     2 x Cummins QSK50-M
Power 2 x 1,342 kW (1800hp) @ 1,975 rpm
Propulsion     2 x Fixed-pitch propellers
Generators 2 x 100 kVA Cummins 6B-CP