They are both aluminium and both catamarans but that is where the similarity ends, as the two vessels are intended for very different purposes and each design has been tailored for the owner’s individual needs.

The first is a 17.8m LOA passenger ship which will undertake tourist excursions and ferry duties off the West Coast of Ireland. It has been designed as a Class B passenger ship under the EU rules and under survey of the DCMNR. Meeting these requirements in a vessel of this length has required many instances of innovative design and extensive development between the shipyard and the designers.

The hull plating is nearing completion and the fine twin hulls are beginning to show the high sheer and dramatic forms incorporated into the design. The complex shapes involved in both the hull and superstructure have been made possible by the design being fully developed at MDI from concept through to part profiling, with all aluminium components arriving at the yard ready for assembly. As well as allowing more freedom in design, this system greatly reduces build time and therefore cost. This allows owners to have a high quality vessel built close to home, simplifying the build process.

The second vessel, a 10m multi-role catamaran, will be available for charter from late spring from Sinbad Marine Services in Killybegs. This boat has been designed with robustness and versatility as the main criteria, using aluminium to keep weight down and enable a cruising speed of some 13 knots and a bollard pull of two tons from twin 180hp Volvo D4 180hp marine diesels. This vessel will also have a P5 licence to carry 12 passengers.

Following the Bluefinn 40 and ‘Bluefinn 20’, both designed and built by the same partnership, these two new vessels will provide further proof of the capability and efficiency of the build system and demonstrate how MDI’s continuing programme of improvement and innovation gives reduced build cost and turnaround time for owners, without compromising on quality or style. To discuss what MDI could design for you, visit Stand S15 at Seawork.