MV Eagle Launched

36m CATAMARAN FERRY cut 989 A4 The latest Incat Crowther vessel to be built by Richardson Devine Marine (RDM) has been successfully launched and trialed along Hobart’s Derwant River. The MV Eagle, a 36m Catamaran Ferry, was built for World Heritage Cruises who operate scenic wilderness cruises from their base in Strahan, on Tasmania’s west coast.

Eagle was designed to carry 222 passengers with a service speed of 28 knots fully loaded. The main cabin can seat 136 passengers with a mix of reclining seats, seats at tables and comfortable lounges. A void space in each hull has been utilized as a library in the port hull and a children’s play area in the starboard hull. The children’s play area has been fitted with a large TV and video and includes interactive toys based on a wilderness theme. The aft end of the main cabin has been arranged with male, female and disabled toilet spaces. Forward of these are the galley, bar and servery. A dumb waiter connects the galley with a bar and servery located on the mid deck. The mid deck has seating for 86 passengers in reclining seats many of them rotated outboard to provide easier visibility for the passengers. A special feature of the mid deck cabin is the 360 degree uninterrupted views. Special attention was paid to minimize any full height facilities or structure through this part of the vessel. In addition there are exterior bench seats behind the mid and upper deck cabins. The upper deck also houses a modern, fully equipped helm station for the master and engineer, in a small self enclosed wheelhouse with exterior wing stations. The vessel provides viewing positions on all decks, including the large enclosed foredeck.

Powered by twin MTU 8V4000 M70’s each producing 1555 hp, the vessel reached a top speed of 33.6 knots during trials. The vessel also incorporates special low wash features developed by Incat Crowther, for low speed operation in the sensitive ecological regions of Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River.

The vessel was built locally by Richardson Devine Marine and was the first vessel to be built in their brand new, purpose built shipyard. It was RDM’s 17th vessel with Incat Crowther over an eleven year period. In addition RDM have two other Incat Crowther vessels under construction.