Incat delivers latest 98

Incat?s in Tasmania has delivered a new 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran to one of Spain?s largest shipping companies, Acciona Trasmediterr?nea (AT). Milenium Tres is the sixth Incat high speed catamaran to join the AT fleet which includes the 96 metre Milenium and the 98 metre Milenium Dos, both of which have been operating successfully on the Spanish mainland-Balearic Islands links since 2000 and 2003 respectively.

The new vessel left Hobart on 25 September at the start of her 12,000 nautical miles delivery voyage to Spain and is expected to arrive at Melilla during the second week of October before entering service from there to Almeria and Malaga.

With capacity for up to 900 passengers and 267 cars at speeds of approximately 40 knots, Milenium Tres is the twelfth vessel in Incat?s highly successful 96/98 metre range and brings to sixteen the number of Incat vessels operating in Southern European waters.

A new feature introduced on board Milenium Tres is the fully enclosed port and starboard side aft staircases leading car passengers from the vehicle deck direct to the vessel?s aft cabin. On previous 98 metre vessels these staircases have been external to the accommodation, this design modification being typical of enhancements aimed at further improving the travelling experience for passengers.

The wheelhouse provides 360-degree visibility while an aft-facing docking console and CCTV monitors negate the need for bridge wings with their associated windage and weight. Consistent with all Incat vessels, the control station is fitted with the latest in electronic, navigation and communication equipment to comply with the High Speed Craft Code. There are three forward facing adjustable seats around the centre line, the Captain sitting in the centre, with the Navigator to starboard and the Chief Engineer to port.

The vehicle deck on board Milenium Tres offers freight space for 380 truck lane metres at 3.1m wide x 4.35m clear height. The fitting of nine hoistable mezzanine vehicle decks gives the operator the flexibility to carry up to 267 cars, or 12 freight trailers with 180 cars, or 24 road freight trailers with 85 cars while offering the headroom demanded by freight vehicles when raised. Suitable for heavy road transport vehicles the main vehicle deck also benefits from unrestricted height for 6 metres and an unobstructed width of 18 metres at the stern. Vehicle loading and unloading is via two articulated stern loading ramps.

Four 16RK280 engines from MAN B&W each rated at 7,200 kW @ 1000 rpm MCR, offer a high power to weight ratio. Each engine drives a transom-mounted steerable Wärtsilä-Lips 120E water jets via a ZF 53000 NRH gearbox. All four waterjets are configured for steering and reversing, while an independent hydraulic system in each hull covers the steering and reverse functions. Manoeuvring and directional control is enhanced through the use of Retractable Trim Tabs that maximise moment force from water jet side/reverse thrust and optimisation of force/moment positioning.

Four Caterpillar 3406B 230 kW generators are fitted, each being rated with a 10% for one hour overload capacity. The generators are arranged for automatic startup and paralleling, the automation considering one unit maintained as a standby set.

Further improving the 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran?s already excellent sea keeping qualities is the Maritime Dynamics/Incat Ride Control System, consisting of transom mounted trim tabs and a retractable T-foil. These, combined with Incat?s unique hull form featuring long outer bows, fuller midship sections, stern skeglets and centre bow clearances, means motion sickness incidence has been reduced by up to 40% in higher sea states by reducing pitch, roll and heave, the major contributors to passenger discomfort.

As always, safety is paramount and Milenium Tres is equipped with four Liferaft Systems Australia Marine Evacuation Stations, two port and two starboard. Each MES serves a total of 200 persons. A total of ten 100-person rafts are fitted. Two SOLAS inflatable rescue boats, each with 30 hp motors, are provided for launch and recovery operations.