BRIX delivers offshore passenger catamaran to St. Lucia

(PORT ANGELES, Wash.) — BRIX Marine has delivered It’s About Time, a custom-built 4818-HTC offshore passenger catamaran from the company’s PaxCat lineup, built for FunToSee Island Ferry of Castries, St. Lucia. This marks the second vessel BRIX Marine has built for FunToSee Island, continuing a growing partnership between the two companies.

Stretching 55 feet, 6 inches overall with an 18-foot beam, It’s About Time is certified under U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T to operate as a commercial passenger vessel. Power comes from four Yamaha 450-hp XTO offshore outboards mounted on custom tandem offshore brackets, a configuration chosen to deliver the performance and reliability demanded by serious commercial operators in open water environments.

The vessel’s interior reflects a high level of finish throughout. The main cabin features Freedman Genoa Plus seating for 35 passengers, fixed Corian-topped tables seating up to 14, and a fully equipped concession area with laminate cabinetry, refrigerator, and direct-overboard sink drainage. Wall finishes in white carbon fiber, teak-and-holly deck vinyl, and antique limed pine joinery give the cabin a warm, refined feel. Topside, the upper deck offers additional passenger seating beneath a custom multi-panel Stamoid enclosure with roll-up Strataglass windows, a tailored solution for operators who need weather protection without sacrificing the open-air experience.

BRIX Marine photo

Lighting throughout the vessel was upgraded to the Lumitec Poco system, including RGBW deck lighting on both the upper and aft decks, courtesy lighting fore and aft, and Rigid D-Series PRO LED deck lights at bow and stern. The electrical system includes a Victron inverter- charger, Blue Sea battery chargers, and AGM battery banks supporting both start and house loads.

Navigation and electronics are centered on a Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv multifunction display, paired with 18HD radar, a Garmin Class B AIS transponder, and a four-camera IP surveillance system. A Fusion three-zone stereo with 1,500-watt amplifier rounds out the onboard amenities.

Safety equipment meets full Subchapter T requirements, including life floats rated for 52 people total, an EPIRB, a full complement of Type 1 life preservers, Fireboy fire suppression, and carbon monoxide and smoke detection throughout.

“Building a second vessel for FunToSee Island speaks for itself,” said Charlie Crane, sales and marketing director of BRIX Marine. “We put a lot into It’s About Time, from the performance to the finish, and we’re proud to see her heading to St. Lucia to do the work she was built for.”

FunToSee Island operates St. Lucia’s premier airport water ferry service, connecting travelers arriving at Hewanorra Airport with resorts and accommodations across the island.

– BRIX Marine

By Professional Mariner Staff