Page 13: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2001)

dies LLC, the 82-ft. (24.9-m) catamaran is a 25-knot vessel with a 26-ft. (7.9-m) beam capable of carrying at least 189 passengers, designed to CFR 46 Sub- chapter K and Classed by ABS.

While several companies have expressed an interest in this vessel, no firm contract has been signed. Austal

USA, which is currently seeking out a firm offer, encourages interested parties to contact them directly in Mobile, Ala.

The Austal Design team in Australia has experience in designing catamarans and monohulls in the range from 80 to 330 ft. (24.3 to 100.5 m), with speeds from 20 to 50 knots. This design group also, uniquely, benefits from being part of a shipbuilding group where lessons learned from vessels built and in-service are constantly being fed back to make each new vessel a step up in functionali- ty and maintainability.

The Main Deck was designed around a 3-5-3 arrangement with 36-in. aisles as required by the 1990 Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA). Access to meet

ADA in fact makes the aisles 6 in. more than USCG require, thus adding one ft. to the beam of the vessel.

The concept for this vessel was that it would work as either a Subchapter T vessel (149 seats or less) or Subchapter

K (150 or more). Thus the Main Deck was designed around the potential of 149 seats (supplied by Beurteaux), which can be achieved by removal of the kiosk/concession midships, replacing with an extra 18 seats.

Speed and economy were important design goals and an appreciation of the types of routes this vessel would operate plus a strong awareness of the need to minimize wake wash, which is a critical issue in the U.S. environment) led to a speed of 25 knots, which also meant that fixed pitch propellers could be used, fur- ther keeping costs down.

The vessel's required 2 x 1,100 hp installed power comes from twin Cater- pillar 3412E diesel engines, which will drive fixed pitch props through ZF BW 190 CB gearboxes although at this time a potential customer's preference may lead to this being changed to Twin Disc.

Fuel consumption is a low 111 gallons per hour for the main engines at full power.

Circle 6 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Main Particulars

Classification .. ABS

Length, (o.a.) .. 82 ft. (24.9 m)

Beam 26 ft. (8 m)

Depth, (molded) 9 ft. (2.8 m)

Draft 6 ft. (1.7 m)

DWT 40,000 lbs.

Propulsion2 x Caterpillar 3412E diesels at 1,000 hp @ 2,300 rpm

Speed 25 knots a www.vanhallhealth.com

Are you paying too much for (JjS. medical bills i

Circle 281 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

BRINGING TWO TOGETHER

CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Xantic is a new company formed by the merger between

Station « and SpecTec - a match that is perfectly balanced.

Because by combining the knowledge and expertise of the two companies, Xantic will deliver smart new solutions and synergies, while offering you a genuine one-stop solution for all mobile satellite communications, maritime ICT, and satellite broadband communications. These services represent the highest quality of satellite services currently available, and Xantic will also be offering you all the exciting ICT developments that lie ahead.

Xantic is a truly global company, with 29 offices and agents all over the world and 2i»/7 customer services helpdesks. To find out more about how to benefit from a reliable partnership with

Xantic, please contact Customer Services: [email protected].

Or visit our website: www.xantic.net.

A* xantic

Circle 217 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com