Wight Shipyard Co has won an order to build a 21 metre passenger catamaran for a high profile Scottish tourism operation. The order, the second for the Isle of Wight-based shipyard in as many weeks, follows the welcome announcement of a second 41 metre high speed craft for Red Funnel.
The new Scottish vessel will join the Jacobite Cruises fleet on Loch Ness cruising between Dochgarroch, just outside Inverness, Clansman Hotel and the historic ruins of Urquhart Castle. “We are delighted to secure this order, our first for Scotland,” says Wight Shipyard Co CEO Peter Morton. “Coming a matter of days after the announcement of a repeat Red Funnel order and following the recent delivery to MBNA Thames Clippers of two 35 metre low-wash river catamarans for London, the order for Jacobite Cruises’ new catamaran underpins WSC’s track record in building sustainable and low environmental impact vessels,” Peter Morton says. Designed by One2three Naval Architects the hullform of the new catamaran is designed to provide through-life efficiency with low structural weight assisting lower fuel consumption. The new catamaran will accommodate 200 passengers who will board over the forward and aft decks. The aft deck will seat 13 passengers while the foredeck will have 15 seats and will be fitted with hinged boarding ramps. Passengers will enter a large central space with seating arrangements for 102 passengers tailored to Jacobite Cruises requirements and finished in the company’s own tartan. A spacious café/kiosk will provide refreshments and snacks. Four toilets will be located at the rear of the accommodation, one of which is for disabled customers. Above, on the upper deck, outdoor seating will be provided for 84 passengers aft of the elevated wheelhouse. In the hulls, the engine rooms are laid out in a clean, accessible manner and feature removal hatches over each engine, completely clear of overhead obstructions.
The vessel will be powered by two Scania DI9 main engines, each producing 257kW @ 2100 rpm. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 15 knots, the vessel will cruise at 12 knots on Loch Ness further slowing to 5 knots in the Caledonian Canal
“Jacobite Cruises is seeing incredible growth and last year we welcomed over 220,000 passengers onto the waters of Loch Ness,” says Freda Newton, Managing Director of Jacobite Cruises. “The new catamaran to be built by Wight Shipyard Co continues our investment in our business, our people and our fleet so we can offer the very best visitor experience. We have been most impressed by Wight Shipyard’s skills and in particular the quality of finish in their vessels built to date,” she says. The new vessel will be delivered in time for the 2018 summer season.