Has the Fast Cat Come to A Halt?
Long hailed for its innovative "fast cat" vessels that were developed by Robert Clifford and Phil Hercus in the 1980's Incat Australia delivered not a new cat last month, but news of an impending bankruptcy. Could this be the end of the fast cats that have dominated the aluminum shipbuilding world for the past 20 years? During the first week of March the Hobart shipyard admitted that it was suffering from financial difficulties, and responded by laying off several hundred employees. In fact, according to Australian news sources, the yard has 1,000 less employees than it did one year ago — despite having won an $80 million contract from the U.S. Military for a 101-m high speed support vessel — transporting American troops throughout the Japanese Islands for the next three years.
New Catamaran for Dry Tortugas National Park
Caterpillar Engine Products Division has announced the completion of a new catamaran fast excursion vessel for Yankee Roamer, Inc., Key West, Fla. The 92-ft. boat has a top speed of more than 27 knots. Yankee Freedom II was designed by Phil Hercus of Internation Catamaran Designs-Sydney, Australia. The Incat design uses a single chine Z-Bow hull shape that increases waterline length for improved high-speed performance and seakeeping ability. Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass. built the all-aluminum vessel and designed the interior and mechanical systems. Gladding-Hearn is Incat's U.S. East Coast licensee and is schedule to launch two more Incat designed ferries this year. Yankee Freedom II is powered by two Cat 3412C marine engines, each rated 1,050 bhp at 2,300 rpm.
Ferries to be Sold at Unreserved International Auction
Three PacifiCat-class fast ferries capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and 250 vehicles at speeds of up to 34 knots will be sold at an international, unreserved public auction March 24 at Canada Place, Vancouver, by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. The 400-ft. (122-m) aluminum vessels, PacifiCat Explorer, PacifiCat Discovery and PacifiCat Voyager, are among the largest catamaran fast ferries in the world, and were designed by Phil Hercus of Incat Designs, Sydney, Australia, and built in British Columbia, Canada, in March 1999, September 1999 and July 2000 respectively. Current owner BC Ferries has determined that the vessels, which have seen very little service, are not suited to the high level of commercial trucks and buses on its ferry routes.
PVA:Three PacifiCat-class Fast Ferries on the Block
Three PacifiCat-class fast ferries capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and 250 vehicles at speeds of up to 34 knots will be sold at an international, unreserved public auction at 11:00 a.m. PST on March 24, 2003 at Canada Place, Vancouver, by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. The 400-ft. (122-m) aluminum vessels, PacifiCat Explorer, PacifiCat Discovery and PacifiCat Voyager, are among the largest catamaran fast ferries in the world. Engineered to the highest technical and performance standards, they were designed by Phil Hercus of Incat Designs, Sydney, Australia, and built in British Columbia, Canada, in March 1999, September 1999 and July 2000 respectively.
News: Three PacifiCat-class Fast Ferries to be Sold
Three 400-ft. (122-m) PacifiCat-class fast ferries capable of carrying 1,000 passengers and 250 vehicles at speeds of up to 34 knots will be sold at an international, unreserved public auction at 11:00 a.m. PST on March 24, 2003 at Canada Place, Vancouver, by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. The aluminum vessels, PacifiCat Explorer, PacifiCat Discovery and PacifiCat Voyager, are among the largest catamaran fast ferries in the world, designed by Phil Hercus of Incat Designs, Sydney, Australia, and built in British Columbia, Canada. The PacifiCat fast ferries can be remotely monitored in real time for position, speed, trim, jet angles and rpm; a 287 kW bowthruster improves maneuverability at low speeds; and an integrated bridge system allows enhanced safety monitoring, control and crew deployment.
Bollinger INCAT USA -- Marking Its Territory
Known for its sleek, fast and high-performance wave-piercing catamarans, Incat Australia expanded its reach to U.S. shores with its decision last year to partner with Lockport, La.,-based Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and design of a new breed of high speed, aluminum fast craft for operation in the U.S. Wanting to break into the U.S. military market, Bollinger Incat USA is poised to establish a new breed of fast ferry construction that will meet the needs of the U.S military forces. The company also plans to position its vessels as a means to alleviate traffic on highways with its plan for high-speed, high-performance freight vessels, which will be able to carry a mix of semi-trailers and freight vehicles.
Outstanding Passenger Vessels
Measuring 175 ft. in length, dinner cruise vessel Starship was recently delivered to Starship Cruise Lines of Biloxi, Miss. Boasting a mega-yacht style, the vessel was designed by Naval Architects Dejong & Lebet of Jacksonville, Fla., and constructed by Freeport, Fla.-based Freeport Shipbuilding. Plachter-Vogel Design provided interior architecture. USCG-Certified under Subchapter K for 600 passengers, plus 30 crew, Starship carries a Stability Letter for Partially Protected waters. The vessel is designed to have a 5-5.6 ft. full load draft enabling it to access some of the Biloxi area's more shallow waterways. The hull features tunnels to allow large enough propellers while minimizing the draft.
