Smooth, fast and vibe free

When The Motor Ship went out on the trials of Red Funnel?s new fast ferry Red Jet 4 it could not be anything but impressed. Fast ferries have come a long way since the early days and North West Bay?s latest was fast, smooth and virtually vibration free.

The vessel more than matched up to Red Funnel?s specifications reaching its 35 knot contract speed at only 80 per cent power. It went on to achieve a speed of 38.1 knots at full deadweight and 41 knot slightship at full power, exceeding the contract by 3 knots. This was helped by the application of Intersleek from International Coatings to the hull, a coating that is known to reduce friction as well as being TBT free.

The vessel operates in the Solent in the UK, so the contract also included a stipulation for a low wash of 400mm, measured at 100m from the trackline.

The Australian Maritime College conducted independent wash measurements using advanced wave probes and radio telemetry. At a full load displacement and 38 knots, the measured wash was 330mm and at 41 knots lightly loaded, less than 280mm. This translates into considerably less wash than the company?s Red Jet 1 & 2. The vessel is also equipped with deployable interceptors, to maintain its low wash characteristics at speed. Passing at speed at what seemed like an uncomfortably close distance to a yacht on the trials, the wash had only a minor effect on the yacht.

Steve Gillett, Red Funnel?s superintendent engineer, says that the two MTU 12V 4000 engines develop 1,740kW each and drive two MJP650R controllable water jets. Both thrust and steering control is integrated to provide optimum manoeuvrability. This allows a mean crossing time to West Cowes on the Isle of Wight from Southampton of 22 minutes.

Red Funnel also had considerable input into the design of the cabin layout as it had to facilitate rapid passenger transfer. A large boarding ramp is carried onboard on the port side, which can be quickly and easily lowered and raised by a single attendant. Entry to the vessel is via a 2.2m wide opening double door where passengers are directed either forward or aft past a large capacity, open style tubular rack. Gillet says that the wide access is to allow embarking and disembarking two abreast to speed up turnaround times. He also says that the company has deliberately not located seats near the entrance to stop passengers blocking the gangway.

Passengers are allocated seats on the one deck and both forward and aft cabins are fitted with Beurteaux Ocean Tourist high back seating in a 3-4-4-3 configuration. Large windows surround the passengers on three sides and there are toilets and a crew attendant?s position located on the aft bulkhead.

Noise and vibrations were extremely low as the whole of the passenger cabin is supported on rubber mounts. Gillett says that noise measurements taken in the cabin at full power were 70dB amidships and 62dB in the wheelhouse. The wheelhouse is located on the upper deck, giving excellent visibility both forward and aft. The commanders seat is offset to port to assist with berthing and the mate is on the vessel?s centreline.

Three LSA 128 man liferafts and a single 65-man liferaft are installed on the upper deck. Egress from the main cabin is through dual doors port and starboard and then via mini-slides down to the rafts. Two additional doors are provided at the forward quarter points, with single doors at the rear of the passenger cabin and in the aft wheelhouse bulkhead. Emergency windows are fitted port and starboard in the forward passenger cabin.