Incat Crowther Delivers Dive Cruise Vessel
Incat Crowther informed about the delivery of the 33m Catamaran Dive Cruise Vessel, Evolution.
Built by Marine Engineering Consultants on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Evolution was recently delivered to Down Under Dive, whereupon it has become the benchmark for customer experience on the Great Barrier Reef.
Designed from the ground up to provide a sleek and modern feature-packed vessel, Evolution blends motor yacht style with commercial vessel efficiency and ruggedness. Featuring a high level of glazing and modern fit out, Evolution’s interior spaces are light and airy, whilst outdoors paces are well protected from the sun.
Whilst Evolution promises to be the most comfortable vessel transiting to and from the reef, it truly comes into its own when stationed on the reef. The traditional lifting dive platform, pioneered by Incat Crowther in the 1980s, has been taken to the next level with port and starboard fold-down platforms adding to the stern platform to completely encircle the aft end of the vessel and provide an expanse of space to access the water safely.
All three platforms feature stair access with ample hand rails and ladders into the water. Adjacent to the ramps and stairs is a large aft main deck with toilets and storage for wetsuits, snorkels and dive tanks. Overlooking this space, at the aft end of the upper deck, is a lifeguard lookout station, with an uninterrupted view of the platforms and water.
Passengers board Evolution through gates aft on the main deck, doors midship on the main deck or via additional gates on the upper deck. Once aboard, they are greeted with high-quality yet durable lounges, seats and teak-look flooring.
The main cabin seats 148 in a mixture of booth configurations. Passengers are served by two large catering
counters aft – a bar to port and a kiosk to starboard – with ample milling space for passengers to line up for the signature barbecue buffet.
A large set of stairs on the aft main deck leads to the upper deck, with outdoor seating for 35. Inside the upper deck cabin, there’s booth seating for 46 passengers, as well as a Gold Class room aft, allowing the operator to offer a premium experience to a select 10 passengers.
Forward of the wheelhouse are comfortable built-in sun lounges for passengers to relax, as well as a stairway down to the foredeck allowing good passenger circulation.
The roof deck features forward-facing seats as well as lounges aft. This deck is covered by a solid roof and accommodates 70 passengers, who enjoy comfort and an excellent 360 degree outlook.
Evolution is fitted with two MAN D2862 LE463 engines driving fixed-pitched propellers. She performed excellently on sea trials, easily achieving her service speed of 25 knots, as well as demonstrating exceptional seakeeping characteristics.
SPECIFICATIONS - 33m CATAMARAN DIVE CRUISE VESSEL
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Length Overall 108’ 8” / 33.1m
Length Waterline 106' 4” / 32.4m
Beam Overall 30' 7” / 9.3m
Draft (hull) 4' 3” / 1.3m
Draft (prop or max) 6' 11” / 2.1m
Depth 10' 6” / 3.2m
Construction Marine grade aluminium
CAPACITIES
Fuel Oil 2 x 1 057 gallons / 2 x 4 000 litres
Fresh Water 2 x 793 gallons / 2 x 3 000 litres
Sullage 2 x 528 gallons / 2 x 2 000 litres
Passengers 200
Crew 20
PROPULSION AND PERFORMANCE
Speed (Service) 25 knots
Speed (Max) 25 knots
Main Engines 2 x MAN D2862 LE463
Power 2 x 1029kW @ 2100rpm
Propulsion 2 x Fixed-pitched Propellers
Generators 2 x Cummins 6BT5.9-D(M) 50Hz
REGULATORY
Flag Australia
Class / Survey NSCV 1C
