Canadian company Bay Ferries has placed an order for their second vessel built by Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd. The new 98 metre fast catamaran is in its final stages of construction in Coverdales building hall at the Incat shipyard in Hobart. The new ship will start service on the international route between Yarmouth in Canada and Bar Harbor in the United States in May this year.
Bay Ferries President, Mr Mitchell McLean and his team are in Hobart for the signing of the contract. Mr McLean said “I am impressed with the increased carrying capacity achieved with the 98 metre ship. It will allow us to carry heavy freight, more coaches and recreational vehicles than we were able to with our earlier Incat vessel. The new ship offers our passengers a luxurious and comfortable ride. That combination means we will be able to broaden our customer base for increased revenue.
Our purchase is a confirmed vote of confidence in Incat product considering last season we operated with 98% on time and 84% total customer satisfaction.”
With its distinctive “Blue Cat” livery the 98 metre fast catamaran is 11 metres longer on the waterline than Bay Ferries’ 91 metre Incat built vessel and offers a staggering 50% more deadweight.
The “Blue Cat” will carry 900 passengers, and 267 cars or a lesser number of cars plus heavy freight vehicles; an increase of 11% in car capacity and a huge increase in freight capacity.
Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said “All customers are good customers, but a repeat customer really makes us smile as it is proof positive we build the best and most reliable fast ships in the world. Incat has been built on a history of selling multiple numbers of vessels to a small but growing list of quality customers.”
Incat’s yard number 059 has all major propulsion equipment installed, and interior fit out is well underway. Work will start immediately on to the blue livery. The “Blue Cat” is due to be launched on 27 February and sea trials will be in late March, with departure for Canada around Easter to take up service on the 110 nautical mile route across the Bay of Fundy immediately after arrival at her new home
