The following is text of a news release from Incat Crowther:
(TORREY HILLS, Australia) — Incat Crowther has announced the contract for the construction of a sister vessel to Seastreak Commodore. The success of Seastreak Commodore has opened the door to welcome a second Incat Crowther 45 to accommodate the large passenger volume along traditional routes serviced by Seastreak and brings the operator’s fleet of Incat Crowther-designed vessels to a total of nine.
At 148 by 40 feet with a capacity for 600 passengers, the sister vessel will join Seastreak Commodore as the highest capacity U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter K certified fast ferries ever built. The vessel will be built at Midship Marine in Harvey, La., and will be powered by four MTU 12V4000 M64 main engines providing redundancy while operating efficiently at a modest rating. The vessel is propelled by Kongsberg Kamewa 63S4 waterjets. During sea trials of Seastreak Commodore, in a fully loaded condition, the vessel achieved in excess of 38 knots.
