By
Rebecca Gibson |
Red Funnel Ferries’ new high-speed catamaran, Red Jet 6, is rapidly nearing completion at Shemara Refit’s yard in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Engineers have completed and received certification for the majority of the structural aluminium work on the twin hulls and the accommodation section, and fitted four MTU 2000 series engines and twin generator sets in the hulls. Various pieces of ancillary equipment have also been mounted in position in the engine room.
The cabin superstructure has just been positioned onto shock-absorbing resilient mounts and secured to the hulls, allowing engineers to start applying the vinyl coating the ferry’s exterior. A first for Red Funnel, the vinyl coating is expected to reduce weight, improve fuel efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. The fit-out of the passenger accommodation has also started, while the bridge console and control station is rapidly taking shape.
Red Jet 6 will also debut the line’s new livery, which has been inspired by the wake of a waterjet-propelled vessel travelling at high speed through the waves. This livery will be added to the rest of the Red Jet fleet during their annual drydocks.
At 41m long, the £6 million Red Jet 6 is Red Funnel’s largest-ever high-speed passenger ferry and is designed to carry 275 passengers and 22 bicycles. It will be fitted with leather seats, an advanced air-handling system, a new high bandwidth ship-to-shore wifi system, which will be free for customers; and a travel information system that will provide real-time updates about connecting bus, coach, train and aeroplane services.
Red Jet 6 will enter the water for trials and crew training in June and will be officially named at a high profile ceremony in Cowes on 4 July 2016.