Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (January 2013)

Accommodations include 142 Beurteaux seats and 24 tables, a snack bar, and four heads in the main cabin. The upper cabin features a snack bar and seating and tables for 56 passengers, and an additional 54 exterior seats on the aft deck. The 120,000 Btu HVAC system heats and cools cabins and wheelhouse and interior sound levels are dampened to 70 decibels.AVA PEARL - RHODE ISLAND FAST FERRY As it turns out, Yankee Fleet isn?t the only satis ed customer in the Gladding-Hearn portfolio to return to the fold in the past calendar year. That?s because Hull number 392, also delivered in 2012, was the M/V Ava Pearl, a 150 passenger, 34 meter excursion vessel which was added to the Rhode Island Fast Ferry  eet. Operating from Quonset Point, RI to Oak Bluffs, Martha?s Vineyard, the new vessel is speci cally designed for improved economy during off-peak times, and complements the 400 passenger, 37 m Incat/ Gladding-Hearn catamaran Millennium which has been operated by Rhode Island Fast Ferry for the past nine years. Delivery of the new vessel in July 2012 ? also designed by Incat Crowther ? allows Rhode Island Fast Ferry to service the same 52-mile route as the operator?s other Gladding- Hearn-built (1998) ferry, Millennium. Accommodating lighter passenger loads, with a lighter displacement, and driven by propellers, the new  eet addition results in signi cant fuel saving during off-peak times. The all-aluminum catamaran draws seven feet (2m) draft and is powered by twin, continuously-rated MTU 12V4000M53 EPA Tier 2-approved diesel engines, each delivering 1851 Bhp at 1800 rpm and turning ZF Marine Ni- Br-Al propellers. The twin gearboxes will be ZF Marine model 5055 with ?Super Shift? feature. The ferry is additionally equipped with two Cummins/Onan 55 kW generators. Incorporating Incat Crowther?s proprietary ?S? bow, the vessel provides excellent seakeeping, directional stability and high tolerance to shifts in trim and displacement. In addition, a large Naiad Dynamics active trim-tab ride-control system and higher freeboard further improve the ferry?s seakeeping ability and passenger comfort. Top speed is over 30 knots in moderate seas, with a deadweight of just 24 tons. AVA Pearl Speci Þ cationsHISTORY : RELIABILITY , SERIES BUILD & LOYALTY , TOO Founded in 1955 and well known on a regional basis, but not perhaps outside of its core markets, Gladding- Hearn Shipbuilding (a Duclos Corporation) has for more than 50 years built steel and aluminum commercial Owner: Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc, Main Engines: 2 x MTU 12V4000M53Designer: Incat Crowther Pty. Ltd.Gears: 2 x ZF 5055 with ?Super Shift ? controls Certi Þ cation: USCG, 150 pass., Lakes, Bays & Sounds Propellers: ZF 5-Blade Ni-Br-Al Material: All AluminumGenerator: 2 X 55 kW Cummins/OnanLength: 33.5 M(110.?)Speed Loaded: 30 knots Beam: 9.1 M(29.85?)F uel Consumption: 652 L/H(176 G/H) Draft (loaded): 2.0 M(6.56?)Range: 330 miles Fuel Capacity: 7560 l (2000 US gal) Interior Sound Level: < 75 Dba(Photo courtesy of Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding) 26 MNJanuary 2013 MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 26MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 261/2/2013 3:57:55 PM1/2/2013 3:57:55 PM