VESSEL OF THE MONTH
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uilt by Australian high-speed craft specialist Incat Tasmania for Seaworld Express Ferry of South Korea, the 76-meter Santa Monica 1 is capable of carrying 621 passengers and crew and 86 cars at speeds of over 40 knots. The vessel features Incat’s tried and proven evolved hullform with its new center-bow arrangement, but it delivers a significant improvement to both waterline length and vessel trim compared with Incat’s pioneer 74-meter and 78-meter high-speed car carrying cats of the early 1990s. Featuring a motion control system, the new Incat 76-meter vessel offers significantly improved speed and fuel consumption while providing a smoother ride and an enhanced onboard experience. Designed by Revolution Design, the Santa Monica 1 achieved a ma x i mu m speed of 49.7 knots on sea trials. Cont r ac t u a l s p e e d of 4 2 k not s w it h 10 0 tonnes deadweight aboard was achieved w it h a m a r g i n i n e x c e s s of 5 k not s . Incat’s ability to build strong aluminum structures at the lowest weight means
8 Marine Log // May 2022
the vessel requires less power, consumes t he least possible amount of f uel, and delivers t he most ef f icient solution to meet operator requirements. A l l passenger faci lit ies a re situated on one deck. It is fitted out for 606 passengers with 72 executive seats and 98 reclining seats in the forward business cla s s lou nge, 232 se at s m id sh ip, a nd 204 seats in the af t cabin, all supplied by Beu r teau x . A ser v ices block separates the forward and midship sections and houses toilets, a crew mess, and a centrally located food service and preparation areas and bar. Wide corridors on either side of the food service area allow customers easy viewing and access while preventing crowding and long lines. Evacuation facilities for passengers and crew on board Santa Monica 1 comprise four Liferaft Systems Australia marine evacuation stations, two port and two starboard. Each can serve up to a total of 200 persons. A s w it h a l l la rge I nc at ve s sel s, t he superstructure, Tier 2 and above, is an
independent structure, connected to the hull via rubber isolation mounts, for optimum noise and vibration performance. Vehicle access is via a vessel-mounted ramp at the stern. Sit u at e d atop t he p a s s e nge r de c k , Santa Monica 1’s wheel house features the latest navigation, monitoring, and cont rol equ ipment. T he vessel of fers v iews f rom ra ised hel m seat i ng, w it h all instruments f itted in dark gray and black consoles to aid night v ision and minimize distraction. A dedicated docking station, 360-degree views, and CCTV deliver a high level of safety and control during voyages and docking. A separate ship’s office and lounge is located aft of the bridge. The vessel is powered by four Caterpillar C280-16 engines, each producing 5,650 kW at 100% MCR and each driving a steerable Kongsberg Kamewa S90-4 waterjet via a Reintjes VLJ 4431 gearbox. Four Caterpillar C7.1 generators rated at 200 ekW each and 380V, 60Hz, supply electrical power.
Photo Credit: Incat Tasmania.
Santa Monica 1:
High Speed Cat Built in Tasmania for South Korean Operator
