Key West, Fla.-based Yankee Freedom has ordered a brand new 300-passenger, high-speed catamaran from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation for passenger service between Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park. The new vessel will substitute Yankee Freedom III, a 250-passenger catamaran constructed for the 70-mile run by the Mass.-based shipyard in 2012. Delivery of Yankee Freedom IV is deliberate for 2026.
The new bigger vessel, designed by Incat Crowther, retains the sturdy model presence Yankee Freedom has established with vacationers to the nationwide park, stated firm officers. The all-aluminum catamaran measures 112.5 ft (34.3m) lengthy, 31.6 ft (9.65m) on the beam, and can draw 6.9 ft (2.13m). It can be powered by a pair of MTU 12V-4000M65R EPA Tier 4-compliant diesel engines, every delivering 2,000 Bhp at 1,600 rpm and turning Ni-Br-Al propellers. The twin gearboxes can be ZF mannequin 8000. The ferry can be outfitted with an Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison, 80kW EPA Tier 3-approved genset with the addition of exhaust fuel remedy. A Humphree lively interceptor trip management system can be put in to manage vessel pitch and roll. Top velocity can be over 28 knots, with a deadweight of 29.5 tonnes.
Accommodations in the principle cabin embrace seating for 130 passengers, tables, a snack bar and an audio/visible passenger info middle. Aft of the bar is a storage room. On the aft deck can be an open lined space with 4 passenger heads, a bathe space and stowage for kayaks and tenting gear. A two-level platform and handrails can be put in on the open bow deck for passenger viewing.
The second deck contains the pilothouse ahead, adopted by an enclosed cabin with seating and tables for 60 passengers, and exterior seating for 72 passengers aft. Additional exterior seating for 40 passengers can be situated on the third deck. A 180,000 Btu HVAC system heats and cools the cabins and pilothouse.
The vessel contains most of the environmental options required by the National Park Service, akin to zero discharge of black & gray waste-water, energy-efficient LED lighting, heavy metal-free backside paint, and zero-VOC vinyl marine movie as a substitute of paint on the outside. Multiple photo voltaic panels, mounted on the roof, will produce 24-volt D/C electrical energy saved in batteries and transformed to energy the vessel’s working lights and the pilothouse’s electronics.
