Rugged Australians for Norway?s worst

Image Marine, the Fremantle-based shipbuilder and part of the Austal Ships Group, has built its first vessels for the European market. This is particularly notable since Norway ? the destination of the vessels ? is a traditional home for fast ferry design, construction and operation. The two fast catamaran passenger-cargo ferries are specifically designed for the harsh Norwegian sea conditions and to service isolated communities.

Named Salten and Steigtind, these aluminium cats were built for leading ferry operator Ofotens og Vesteraalens DampskibsselskabASA (OVDS) and will operate out of the far northern port of Bod?. Capable of 35 knots and with capacity for 214 passengers, the 41.3m vessels also have capacity for 30 Euro pallets (12t) of refrigerated cargo.

Cargo is lifted into the hold by cranes on the upper deck, which feature remote control capability for ease and swiftness of loading and unloading. This is a crucial factor on this service due to the large number of different ports called upon each day. Located aft, the hold features a hydraulically operated hatch cover, tie down fasteners for rough weather and sealed floors which allow the hold to be hosed down.

Designed to operate with four crew, the vessel?s layout is aimed at easing the flow of passengers. Hydraulically operated boarding ramps are positioned both port and starboard and cater for the various wharf heights encountered on the route, while the central ticket office allows passengers to purchase tickets after boarding. Having paid, the passengers move forward to the main seating area via luggage storage compartments where they can stow their belongings.

Other onboard facilities include a specially designed room that allows passengers to transport their pets. A kiosk provides refreshments throughout the round-trip, which can last up to six hours and an adjacent television room with toys provides children with a play area separate from the main passenger cabin. Smokers are catered for with a protected outdoor smoking area on the upper deck.

The main passenger cabin offers a quiet environment where travellers can relax in climate-controlled comfort with seating arranged in a mixture of row and table and chair arrangements. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for with such features as hearing aid induction loops and interior colour schemes designed to clearly delineate walkways for those with poor eyesight.

Given the nature of the service, it is also important that the welfare of the captain and crew are catered for. Located on the upper deck aft of the bridge are the ship?s office, a separate crew shower and toilet, and a dining/lounge area featuring cooking facilities, television and comfortable seating .

Since the vessels operate north of the Arctic Circle and throughout winter, specific attention was paid to ensuring year-round functioning of all aspects of the vessel in below freezing conditions. This includes all engineering systems, the covered mooring decks aft which protect the crew from the weather when docking, and a sloped forward bulkhead that is designed to prevent the build-up of snow and ice over the escape hatch.

While based on a successful existing Austal hull form, the hulls and tunnel height have been slightly modified for Norwegian sea conditions and to allow for expected variations in passenger and cargo loads. The catamarans use Seastate interceptors to modify running trim as well as providing significant motion damping giving, it is claimed, an exceptionally good ride.

Propulsion power for the vessels is provided by twin 2,320kW MTU 16V 4000 diesels, each driving a Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjet via a ZF gearbox and producing a speed of 33 knots in trial conditions.