(SOMERSET, Mass.) — Resolute, one of two high-speed passenger catamarans delivered by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding to the Bermuda Ministry of Transport in 2002, has returned to the shipyard for a complete refit. The project’s completion is scheduled for May 2021.
Designed by Incat Design (currently Incat Crowther), the all-aluminum 250-passenger vessel measures 84 feet long, 30 feet abeam and draws 5.3 feet. Among myriad items is replacing the vessel’s Detroit Diesel engines with new engine controls and monitoring systems to operate twin MTU 10V 2000 M72 diesel engines, each delivering 1,205 hp at 2,250 rpm. With new shafts, seals and bearings, the engines are paired with new ZF gears to turn new five-blade nibral propellers.
Each hull will be equipped with a new Northern Lights 40-kW generator. The main engine and generator exhaust piping, with new lagging, and the seawater cooling piping will be modified to accommodate the new engines. The existing hydraulic steering will be replaced with a new Kobelt hydraulic system. The repowered ferry is expected to have a service speed of 27 knots, with a fully loaded deadweight of 20 metric tonnes at a conservative 85 percent power.
In the main cabin with seating for 110 passengers, the Beurteaux seats will be reupholstered, interior bulkheads relined and the carpeting replaced. New Dampa white panels will replace the old ceiling system. All of the windows will be replaced. Throughout the vessel, AC and DC lighting will be replaced with LED lighting. The existing 150,000-BTU HVAC system will receive new condensers and evaporators. The two heads will be refurbished and the black/graywater holding capacity increase to comply with zero discharge requirements.
With seating for 98 passengers on the partially covered second deck, the seats will be removed and reinstalled on welded flanges.
In the wheelhouse, the vessel will be equipped with a new David Clark 9100 digital intercom system in addition to a digital message player. New electronics include Simrad GPS/radar and a Furuno loud hailer system.
The vessel’s exterior will be completely recoated.
In order to maintain class certificates, the refit will be inspected by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
– Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding