Austal?s North American cat purrs onto Lake Ontario

A new era in North American transportation has arrived on Lake Ontario in the form of the Auto Express 86 catamaran Spirit of Ontario I, the latest passenger and vehicle fast ferry from Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships.

This new ferry is the first vehicle-passenger ferry Austal has completed for the North American market. The project is the result of several years work by the US company Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS) to improve links between the two regions which have, until now, been without a ferry crossing. At an early stage in the project, CATS saw that without high speed technology the proposed service would not be practical, a slow ferry taking longer than the road journey.

The most direct line between Rochester, New York and Toronto, Ontario is the 82 nautical mile (151km) path across the open waters of Lake Ontario, a journey which takes only two hours and 15 minutes for the fast ferry. In comparison, the 275km drive around the western end of the lake takes at least three hours, even in perfect road and traffic conditions. However, weather and traffic congestion, particularly at the border crossings, can stretch the travel time to four hours or more. The 86 metre catamaran will, therefore, clearly provide a traveling option that is not only faster but also more relaxing and comfortable.

The new route will act as a virtual bridge, connecting the national highway systems of Canada and the United States, and is expected to act as a catalyst for two regions coming together, economic development, tourism activity and job growth on both sides of the border.

From the outset Austal has worked closely with CATS to ensure that the vessel is precisely what is needed for the new service. Accordingly, Austal?s seventh Auto Express 86, Spirit of Ontario I has been purpose designed for the service including a reduction in beam, to 23.8 metres, to enable it to fit through the canals on the St Lawrence Seaway. This is just one among many illustrations of Austal?s ability and willingness to modify a highly proven design to match client-specific needs.

Others include structural, design and equipment changes in accordance with the latest IMO HSC Code 2000 requirements and to allow operation in limited ice conditions.

To account for the environment in which the vessel operates an ice strengthening belt has been incorporated around the waterline. This has been achieved by increasing shell plating thickness over the classification requirement. Importantly the vessel has also been completed to meet the latest security requirements of the United States Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security.

During sea trials the ferry exceeded the contractual speed requirement of 42 knots by three knots and reached a top speed of 47.2 knots, making it the fastest car ferry ever built by Austal. The ship is powered by four MTU 20V 8000 M70 diesel engines, each providing a maximum power output of 8,200kW at 1150rpm and making it the most powerful diesel engined fast catamaran in the world. Each engine drives a Lips LJ120E water jet through a ZF 53000 gearbox.

For the ultimate travel experience extra wide seating has been provided for 774 passengers, including seating for 78 Business Class passengers on the starboard side of the bridge deck lounge. Foot passengers embark via doors amidships on the upper deck and enter a spacious atrium that includes lounge seating, a passenger information desk and a duty free shop.

Located either side of the central amenities block are two cinemas, each seating 46 passengers. A gently sloping deck ensures movie fans enjoy clear viewing from all seats. Passengers in other areas are entertained and informed via an integrated public address and audio entertainment system. The ship?s video distribution system is linked to colour television monitors that have been located throughout the vessel.

On the vehicle deck the newbuilding has been configured to carry trucks as well as cars. Featuring bow and stern doors for a fast and efficient drive-through operation, the vehicle space is fitted with a hoistable mezzanine deck. With this raised, 10 trucks may be carried in the two central lanes, which are strengthened for axle loads of up to 15 tonnes. When the deck is lowered, a total of 243 cars can be carried.