First Ocean Cat launched this month.

The

Ocean Cat

will boast the same versatility which made the

Coastal Cat

so admired, with capability for crew transfer, survey, offshore wind farm support, pollution control and ecotourism, to name just a few possible roles. Equipment will include a twin drum 5 ton winch, Guerra 110.90 AS deck crane, 3.5 ton A-frame and 400mm square moonpool. A spacious deckhouse will provide in-voyage accommodation for 12 persons, and two heated cabins are provided below deck for longer trips.

Like the Coastal Cat, the Ocean Cat is based on an asymmetrical hullform. Asymmetrical catamarans offer a compromise between the stability and deck area of a catamaran and the comfort and performance of a semi-planing monohull.

Small catamarans often suffer from pitching in relatively moderate seas, which can cause discomfort, slamming and loss of speed.

The

Ocean Cat will be fitted with a tunnel foil, proven to greatly reduce pitching, while increasing speed and efficiency. Internal chines have also been built into the structure to reduce spray within the tunnel.

The

Ocean Cat has been designed to MCA Workboat Code and Irish Passenger Boat Code P5 Offshore, and will be built under Bureau Veritas class for unrestricted navigation. It is unusual for such a small vessel to be built under class, but the owners, builder and designer are confident that the quality assurance of full classification will justify the additional effort.

The

Ocean Cat will be launched and available for hire from this month.