Passenger Catamaran To Operate Between Seattle And Victoria

A 300-passenger catamaran to begin operating in June this year between Seattle and Victoria, B.C., will offer a fast, comfortable cruise through some of the Northwest's most beautiful waters. Built by Fjellstrand A/S in Omstrand, Norway, the 127-foot Victoria Clipper will be operated by Clipper Navigation, Inc. of Mukilteo, Wash. She is designed to provide the best possible ride in any kind of weather and sea conditions.

The all-aluminum vessel is powered by water jets driven by MTU 16V 396 TB 83 diesel engines, each with an output of 2,010 bhp at 1,940 rpm. Passengers will ride in comfortable two-by-two seating—208 on the main deck and 92 on the upper deck—in surroundings designed and decorated by the same firm that designed the interiors of the Royal Viking Line cruise ships.

Both upper and lower decks are surrounded by large windows giving passengers nearly unobstructed views of the beautiful route up Puget Sound and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In addition, upper deck passengers will be able to watch the captain and crew at work during normal daylight operations through a glass wall separating the passengers from the wheelhouse.

Shades will be drawn across those wheelhouse windows at night to protect the crew's night vision for safe operations.

For passengers who prefer more companionship or a friendly card game during the cruise, there will be some tables surrounded by similar two-by-two seating, while some 40 outdoor seats will be available for those who want to take a break in the open air, though the vessel's cruising speed of more than 30 knots may make the open deck too brisk for some.

A containerized loading and storage system will insure that passengers' luggage is protected throughout the cruise. The container will be loaded ashore, locked and loaded onto the Victoria Clipper. At the destination, the still-locked container will be offloaded for luggage distribution ashore.

For passengers who want to bicycle around Victoria or Seattle, the vessel will have protected space abroad for about 30 bikes.

For further information on Fjellstrand, Circle 28 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 24, Jun 1986

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.