(SYDNEY, Australia) — Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther is partnering with Gulf Craft LLC in Franklin, La., to design and deliver a 104-foot passenger ferry for the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Construction of the new vessel began in November.
The new ferry will service the busy tourist and commuter route between Red Hook on the island of St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on the island of St. John. Currently, two other Incat Crowther-designed 92-foot vessels service this route.
The ferry is designed with accessibility and an elevated customer experience in mind and will be capable of transporting up to 300 passengers at speeds of up to 28 knots. The vessel will also be fitted with the latest diesel engine emission control technologies in compliance with EPA Tier 4 guidelines.
The air-conditioned main cabin will provide seating for up to 202 passengers, including five dedicated wheelchair accessible spaces. Two ADA-compliant bathrooms and a fully enclosed luggage room are also provided on the main deck level, along with integrated side boarding ramps for a safe and efficient boarding experience.
The vessel’s upper deck will transport up to 100 passengers in spacious outdoor seating, while the wheelhouse will provide the captain with an excellent line of sight and 360-degree visibility. Wing helm stations are also provided for the captain to ensure safe docking of the vessel.
“Incat Crowther has a proven track record of designing and delivering tailored passenger ferries for operators throughout the Caribbean. We are pleased to be collaborating with our longstanding partner, Gulf Craft, to deliver another vessel to this region,” said Incat Crowther USA Managing Director Grant Pecoraro.
“Our team of naval architects understand that no two routes are the same. Our digital shipbuilding process enables us to carefully focus on specific operational requirements to ensure our designs are tailored specifically for local conditions, existing dockside infrastructure and with the operator and its customers in mind,” Pecoraro said.
– Incat Crowther
