Vigor delivers first of four 400-passenger WETA ferries

Written by Nick Blenkey
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MAY 19, 2017 — Hydrus, the first in a series of four Incat Crowther designed 400-passenger catamaran ferries built for WETA, the Water and Emergency Transportation Authority of San Francisco, is now in service.

The vessels are being built by Vigor in Seattle. The hulls are being built by Vigor Ballard (formerly Kvichak) and the superstructure at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard.

“In the spring of 2015, Vigor began construction on the first two WETA ferries in this class,” said Tim Kolb, General Manager of Vigor Ballard. “It’s an efficient design and very environmentally friendly..”

Following trials of the first vessel, two additional vessels were ordered by WETA.

“The four Vigor vessels will play critical roles in maintaining service reliability in WETA’s planned expansion of the ferry service on the San Francisco Bay” said Nina Rannells, WETA Executive Director.

Hydrus is powered by a pair of MTU 12V4000M64 EPA III main engines, each producing 1,453 kW.

One of the earliest passenger vessels to enter service with advanced exhaust after treatment, the system ensures Hydrus complies with the latest U.S. emissions regulations and is one of the lowest emission ferries currently operating in North America.

Incat Crowther worked with suppliers to create an efficient layout for the system that minimizes noise ingress to the cabins and has minimal effect of passenger flow and operations.

Hydrus has a top speed of 29 knots and a service speed of 27 knots under full load at reduced MCR. The vessel also demonstrates low wake wash characteristics.

Hydrus will be joined mid-year by a second vessel, Cetus, with a further two vessels due in 2018.

SPECIFICATIONS – 41m CATAMARAN PASSENGER FERRY

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Length Overall 135′ / 41.15 m
Length Waterline 133′ 10″ / 40.80 m
Beam Overall 37′ 1″ / 11.30 m
Draft (hull) 5′ 4″ / 1.63 m
Draft (prop) 6′ 6″ / 2.00 m
Depth 11′ 8″ / 3.55 m
Construction Marine grade aluminium

CAPACITIES

Passengers (internal) 328
Passengers (external) 75
Bicycles 58

PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE
Speed (Service) 27 knots
Speed (Max) 29 knots
Main Engines 2 x MTU 12V4000 M64
Rated Power 2 x 1,453 kW @ 1,800 rpm
Propulsion 2 x 5-bladed propeller

Incat Weta 700

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