Image Marine Delivers Aquacat To Blackbeard's Cruises

Designed to suit the requirements of a live-aboard charter operation and with the first year of its chartering service already fully booked, Image Marine's latest delivery, the 102-ft. (31-m) live-aboard dive charter vessel, Aquacat, is set to begin operation in Bahamas during June.

Built for Blackbeard's Cruises, one of the largest scuba resort operations in the world, Aquacat, which is classed to Lloyd's Register, offers a m u l t i - p u r p o s e live-aboard chartering service with accommodations and a variety of amenities.

With a cruising speed of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 14 knots, Aquacat's itinerary consists of seven-to-10 day cruises from Miami to the Bahamas, 41 weeks per year, with one-week excursions from the island of Nassau to the Northern Exumas.

Measuring 102 ft. (31 m), with a waterline length of 91 ft. (27.7 m), molded beam of 35 ft. (10.8 m) and hull draft of 5 ft. (1.5 m), the vessel's propulsion package is comprised of two Caterpillar 3406 engines, two Twin Disc reduction gearboxes and two Teignbridge propellers.

The vessel's interior has been fully customized for practicality, while still exuding style and comfort.

The lounge and dining area, which is situated on the upper deck, features "Tropicane" style furniture throughout with seating for 24 passengers and crew at any time. In addition, an alfresco dining area located on the upper deck, provides seating for up to 12; Kencord marine carpet is featured on all outdoor deck areas.

Aquacat accommodates 22 passengers in eleven cabins, each featuring a private ensuite with bathroom.

Crew quarters for 10 are located both in the vessel's hull and top deck.

For those who want to partake in the vessel's dive feature, Aquacat is fitted with state-of-the-art dive equipment including two complete Bauer compressor systems fitted with Nitrox facilities to suite 98 - 131 ft. (30-40 m) dive conditions.

Storage facilities for divers' equipment are housed on the main deck in addition to fresh water washing tanks for diving equipment, five dive access points with dive platforms for easy access into the water and two fish freezing units for bait.

Aquacat also boasts two 17 ft. (5.3-m) Aquapro rigid inflatable tender vessels, located aft of the upper deck, which can be launched via a manual davit system and used for general transport purposes.

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Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 19, Jun 2001

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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.