VT Hydro Cruisers to Get Halyard Silencers

Halyard has been awarded the contract to build customer designed silencers for three new high speed Hydro Cruisers. The 89-ft. passenger catamaran ferries, built to the IMO High Speed Code, are designed to do 35 knots and carry 150 passengers. Each hull is fitted with two Caterpillar 3412 engines driving four Hamilton water jets. The Halyard silencers had to be designed to fit into the compact space available in each hull. Built mostly from stainless steel, the spray rings were manufactured from Inconel, which would ensure that the silencers would operate effectively in diverse conditions and in extreme temperatures, anywhere in the world. The first ferry is expected to be launched in July, followed by the next two in October 2003. On completion, the ferries will be used for operation in the Caribbean.