Monohull Orders For Austal
Western Australian aluminum shipbuilder Austal Ships has received an order for two monohull passenger vessels from Yuet Hing Marine Supplies Company of Hong Kong, as well as an order for a 131-foot (40-m) passenger catamaran for the Shanghai Free Flying Transport and Yacht Co. Ltd. for operation in the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Monohull Ferries For Yuet Hing Marine The monohulls are scheduled for an August delivery this year and will operate from Guang Hai to Shang Chung Island, a distance of 13 nautical miles. They are 98 feet (30 m) long, with maximum beam of 23 feet (7 m), molded depth of nine feet (2.8 m) and maximum draft of four feet (1.2 m). The vessels have a passenger capacity of 155, as well as seating for four crew members. The main propulsion system of each monohull consists of two MTU 8V 396 TE 74L diesel engines developing 832 kW at 1,900 rpm driving two KaMeWa FF Jet 550 waterjets with intake grids through two ZF BU255 marine gearboxes. This propulsion package will drive the fullyladen vessel to 28 knots.
Each will have a tank capacity for 1,057 gallons of fuel and 106 gallons of fresh water. Range at continuous speed will be 200 nautical m i l e s .
The vessels will be classified by the China Classification Society and the monohulls will be registered at the port of Guang Hai.
131-Foot Passenger Vessels The "Free Flying" 131-foot (40-m) passenger vessel has been outfitted with the stabilizing system and is now commencing sea trials off the coast of Fremantle in Western Australia. The 450-passenger capacity Free Flying catamaran was delivered in April and registered to the port of Shanghai.
Another 131-foot catamaran on order at Austal, yard number 111, will have a passenger capacity of 300 with a fully-laden speed of 33.5 knots. The main propulsion system consists of twin MTU 16V 396 TE 74L diesel engines developing 1,940 kW at 1,940 rpm driving two KaMeWa 71S waterjets through two ZF BU755 gearboxes. The vessel has molded depth of 12 feet (3.8 m) and draft of 4.5 feet (1.4 m). Seating is on two decks, 224 on the main and 76 on the upper deck with VIP seating for nine. The fuel capacity is 2,642 gallons and the freshwater water capacity is 396 gallons. The range at continuous speed will be 300 nautical miles.