AUGUST 15, 2013 — A 34 m catamaran passenger ferry under construction at Q-West Boat Builders Ltd.'s Castlecliff, Wanganui, New Zealand, shipyard is the result of a thorough review of network requirements, in which designer Incat Crowther worked closely with Fullers Group Ltd, the operator of the Auckland ferry network to develop a vessel optimized to its requirements and existing infrastructure.

The vessel's 338 passengers will be accommodated over two decks, in a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. The main deck seats 212 passengers in its main cabin. There is a kiosk at the rear of the cabin, between a pair of large doorways designed to facilitate fast boarding and egress. Luggage racks are fitted adjacent to the entry doors. Lift up-seats and a curtain to port provide for a sick bay. A wide set of stairs leads to the upper deck, where 82 passengers are seated on an open deck protected by a fabric awning. Further kiosk facilities and a pair of additional WCs are forward of this, as well as a passenger cabin seating 44 passengers. Additional capacity exists for 50 standing passengers.

At the forward end of the upper deck is an asymmetric wheelhouse. The frequently used starboard wing control station is enclosed, whilst the port side is dedicated to a crew access via stairs to the foredeck. The foredeck will be configured to carry palletized cargo, with a Palfinger deck crane.

Bicycle racks will be fitted to the main deck aft.

Passenger boarding is facilitated by large side gates on both deck levels, as well as hinging articulated ramps mounted on the transom port and starboard. These ramps are designed to integrate with the existing shore based infrastructure, and offer a fast turnaround time.

The vessel will be powered by a pair of Cummins QSK 38 main engines, each producing 1044 kW at 1,800rpm. The vessel will be fitted with dry exhaust systems which, along with the engine room air outlets, will exit high above the upper deck. This will reduce fumes and noise in passenger areas, and is typical of vessels in the Fullers fleet.

Maneuverability will be aided by a bow thruster in the port hull.

SPECIFICATIONS - 34 m CATAMARAN PASSENGER FERRY

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' 2" / 1.25 m
Draft (prop) 6' 3" / 1.9 m
Depth 10' 0" / 3.05 m
Construction Marine grade aluminum

CAPACITIES

Fuel Oil 2,113 gallons / 8,000 liters
Fresh Water 793 gallons / 3,000 liters
Sullage 793 gallons / 3,000 litres
Passengers 50 + 338
Crew 3

PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE
Speed (Service) 26 knots
Speed (Max) 30 knots
Main Engines 2 x Cummins QSK 38 M
Power 2 x 1,044 kW @ 1,800 rpm
Propulsion 2 x Fixed-pitch Propellers
Generators 2 x 100 kVA Cummins 6B-CP

REGULATORY
Flag New Zealand
Class / Survey Maritime New Zealand