Incat Crowther Contracted to Design Aukland NZ Ferry

Incat Crowther is to design a 34m catamaran passenger ferry for Fullers Group Ltd, the operator of the Auckland ferry network, and it is now being constructed by New Zealand builder Q-West.

The vessel is the result of a thorough review of the network requirements, in which Incat Crowther worked closely with Fullers to design a vessel that is optimized to the network requirements and existing infrastructure and offers operational flexibility.

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, and 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.

The vessel will be powered by a pair of Cummins QSK 38 main engines, each producing 1044kW at 1800rpm to give a service speed of 26 knots. 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.