By
Rebecca Gibson |
Incat Crowther is to construct two additional 34m catamaran passenger ferries for New Zealand operator Fullers Group.
Sister ships to Te Kotuku, which was delivered in 2014, the two new vessels have been designed by Incat Crowther and will be built by Q-West in Wanganui, New Zealand.
The 401-passenger vessels will each feature a main deck with 174 seats, a large café, luggage racks, wide access doors, two toilets and racks for 14 bicycles. They will also have an upper sun deck with 76 exterior seats, 81 interior seats, a bar and two toilets.
Passengers will board via large side gates on the main deck, or via the hydraulic hinging articulated ramps mounted on the transom port and starboard, which integrate with the existing shore infrastructure and offer a fast turnaround time.
The newbuilds will feature larger engines than their sister ship to enable them to carry increased deadweight and offer an efficient loaded service speed of 26 knots. They will also be fitted with fixed pitch propeller and a dry exhaust system which, along with the engine room air outlets, will exit high above the upper deck to reduce fumes and noise in passenger areas.