Hy-Line Cruises Orders Fast Ferry

Hy-Line Cruises, a division of Hyannis Harbor Tours, Hyannis Mass., has ordered a new 300 passenger high-speed catamaran from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, the Duclos Corporation. This is the third Incat-designed fast ferry built by the shipyard for the caps cod tourism company, and the twenty-seventh high-speed catamaran built by Gladding Hearn. The M/V Grey Lady III, scheduled for delivery next year, will replace the smaller Grey Lady II and provide year-round passenger service between Hyannis and Nantucket Island. The new, all-aluminum ferry is 144 ft. (43.7 m), 35 ft. (10.6m) at the beam, and draws 6.5 ft. (2m). It is powered by four Cummins KTA50M2 diesel engines, each delivering 1800 bhp. The vessel is propelled by four Hamilton water jets through Reinjtes WVS730D gearboxes. The ferry’s top speed over 38 knots when fully loaded at a deadweight of 40 tonnes according to director of business development at Gladding-Hearn. “The boat’s top speed will give the operator about a five knot margin on the schedule. With all four engines running at the continuous horsepower rating, the vessel will comfortably kept the schedule at a speed of 33 knots. In the event of a failure on one of the propulsion systems, the boat will still keep the schedule, but will require full power from the remaining engines. This kind of margin is just prudent business for a ferry service that operates in excess of 5,000 hours per year.” The vessel is equipped with a Vosper/MIDI active, motion-control system. A motion sensor actuates a computer in the wheelhouse to adjust the two trim tabs, reducing the motion of the vessel by as much as 60 percent, Duclos said. Interior accommodations include tables, Beurteaux seats, two cocktail and food-service bars, heating and air-conditioning, and four heads. The boat can accommodate up to four tons of luggage loaded through a dedicated baggage loading gate.