Four Passenger Ferries for West Africa
Customer: West Africa
Designer: Sean de Villiers
In 2017, Oliver Dawson and his team began the build of four passenger ferries for West Africa, completing all four ferries over a six month period.
The ferries are medium speed ferries of modern catamaran design. Their hull shape was optimized for slow and medium speed operation, and to produce a low wake and have a shallow draft, well suited for coastal and inshore ferry operations. The vessel has proven excellent seakeeping qualities including passenger comfort and good stability. The hullform is proven with 18 vessels in service.
The ferries have a seating capacity for up to 40 – 60 passengers. Their superstructure is constructed from advanced glass reinforced sandwich composites. Propulsion is by two outboard engines, which are easy to maintain and clear of fouling from operation in dirty waters.
The key features of the vessel design are:
- Shallow draught, low wake wash, optimized hull form for medium speed ferry operations
- A comfortable enclosed saloon for up to 60 passengers
- Advanced composite construction for ease of manufacture and solid structural integrity
Dimensions
Length Overall 15.6 M
Beam 5.85 M
Depth Moulded 1.42 M
Draft (design) 0.75 M
Displacement (full load). Approx. 20 tonnes
Fabrication
Hull Composite GRP
Deck and Superstructure Composite GRP
Machinery
Main Engine 2 x 200hp Outboard engines
Monitoring and Control OEM tachometer, engine alarms, running hours
Bilge pumps 12V submersible bilge pumps in each watertight compartment
Capacities
Fuel Oil (Petrol) 2 x 250 – 500 litres in reinforced non-integral aluminium tanks
Fresh water 60 L
Passengers 60
Crew 2
Gross tonnage ~47 GT
Registration
Year Build 2019
Safety Authority Flag state of clients’ choice
Class No Classification. Hull structure designed according ISO structural regulations
Communications
VHF Radio 1 x VHF Marine Transceiver at helm station
Signal horn 1 x mounted on mast
Navigation
GPS 1 x Garmin
Chart Plotter 1 x Garmin
Echo Sounder 1 x Garmin
Compass 1 x Magnetic compass
Electrical
Engine start 2 x AGM type batteries
House / service battery 1 x AGM type in wheelhouse
Switchboard 1 x 12V switchboard in wheelhouse
Lighting 12V interior lighting
Power supplies 12V DC wall socket in wheelhouse
Alarms Bilge level alarms for each watertight compartment
Deck Equipment
Anchor 1 x Anchor
Anchor rope Rope/chain, Rope 22mm 60m, Chain 12mm 10m
Bollards Double Bit type – 4 nos
Fenders: Removable rubber fenders
Performance
Maximum Speed 20 knots in calm water, light ship Economical Cruising speed 15 knots
Systems
Bilge pumps 12V submersible bilge pumps in each watertight compartment
Filtration Fuel/Water Separator, 30 micron
Sanitary system 1 x marine toilet with electric sea water flush 80 liter black water tank Ventilation Forced ventilation of saloon by forward facing louvres on superstructure front
Louver ventilation of fuel tank compartment
Accommodation
Passengers seating 60 x commuter style plastic seats
Storeroom luggage stowage room forward of wheelhouse
Coatings Antifouling below the waterline Gelcoat on Ship sides
Non slip coating on deck surfaces
Safety & Fire Fighting
Life Rafts 2 x 50 men capacity (or as applicable)
Life Buoys 4 x Life buoys with Signal lights and 30m rope – SOLAS approved
First Aid Kit 1 no
Boat Hook 1 no