High speed craft order for Sunferries

Sunferries of Townsville, Queensland, Australia, accepted delivery of the "Fantome Cat" from the Brisbane builder. The "Fantome Cat" is a near sistership to the "Palm Cat", and takes the total number of ABA-built vessels in its fleet to two and the number of One2three designed vessels in the Sunferries fleet to four.

During trials on Queensland’s Moreton Bay, the "Fantome Cat" performed admirably and to the delight of all onboard, as the shipyard states. The new catamaran is built with improvements adopted through the operational experience gained with the "Palm Cat". With a strong focus on passenger comfort the cabin areas have been enhanced with carpet being fitted throughout while the ride control system is in the form of active interceptors from Scandinavian company Humphree AB.

This is in fact the first vessel in Australasia to be fitted with a Humphree interceptor system. Systems are all electric with 12/24V DC power and very simple to install as Humphree supply all components including connecting cables with termination plugs fitted. The system consists of 4 x interceptor assemblies mounted on the (2 per transom) transoms to automatically control and reduce the motions of the vessel for optimum passenger and crew comfort in rough seas.  The system also automatically maintains the optimum dynamic trim of the vessel thereby reducing the vessels resistance when operating. This results in a reduction in the fuel consumption, increase in vessel speed and subsequent reductions in exhaust emissions. During sea trials, motion reductions of 30% + in pitch and 50% + in roll were recorded.

Passengers enter the vessel through wide entrance doors on the port side amidships, or through gates aft on the port and starboard side.  The "Fantome Cat" can accommodate 308 passengers and of these, 112 are carried on the upper deck which, in additional to a lounge, also offers an external sheltered area seating 61 persons. Here too is an external area for eight luggage bins, ensuring that the cabin areas are kept free of obstructions.

The "Fantome Cat" operates with a crew of five and is equipped with the latest navigational aids ensuring optimum performance. The electronics package is the latest Simrad NSE range supplied and installed by the team at Ultimate Marine Power. Two Caterpillar C32 diesels each drive a five-bladed propeller to provide a service speed of 26 knots, allowing the crossing from Townsville to Magnetic Island to be completed in approximately 20 minutes.  

Sunferries is providing the quickest link between Townsville and Magnetic Island and Palm Island. The "Fantome Cat" commenced service on 29 March releasing the sistership "Palm Cat" to take up a new role on Sydney Harbour operating between Manly and Circular Quay.