Australian boat designer launches its 500th vessel

It’s apt that the 500^th vessel is 27m catamaran passenger ferry built in collaboration with Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, because long term partnerships are one of the keys to that the boatbuilder credits with its success.

“To have successfully designed 500 large commercial vessels is no accident,” said Brett Crowther, CEO, Incat Crowther.

“Incat Crowther will continue to invest in our people and process to deliver innovative yet practical technical solutions to our operators and shipbuilding partners.”

Champion is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 Acert engines, driving Hamilton HM571 water jets, for a service speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 30 knots.

Seating 110 passengers internally and having a total capacity of 150 passengers, Champion meets a range of performance and function criteria.

As well as being fully ADA complaint, with a total of four wheelchair spaces and accessible bathroom, the vessel also features a concession area, luggage rack, bicycle storage for ten and a ticket counter.

The design is optimised for bow loading, with double-width gates and doors. Its bow design integrates with the existing shore based infrastructure and the wheelhouse is designed to meet strict visibility requirements, allowing the captain to clearly see the foredeck.

Champion’s superstructure is isolated by resilient mounts, to reduce noise and vibration in the cabin, allowing the vessel to exceed the contractual requirements.

By Anne-Marie Causer