Anyone building a 16m ferry ?

[Bittentobuggery]

I have contacted some potential suppliers for a vessel of this kind but have not been favoured with a response, so I would like to enlist the help of the Ribnet collective...

Is there anybody out there with the skill, experience and expertise to build a suitable vessel for a 22 mile open water crossing in Western Australia. The basic requirements that I see as critical are : -

* – Accommodate 40+ pax on the 16m hull in comfort, safety and with adequate shelter (Survey requirement)
* – Capable of operating at 40+ kts in smooth conditions with a full complement of pax, fuel, liferafts etc (7-9,000 Kg payload ?)
* – Capable of maintaining a high operating speed in moderate sea conditions – up to 2.5 m wave and swell heights
* – Satisfy WA survey requirements (similar to MCA Cat 4)
* – Wheelhouse to accommodate helmsman + 1 crew
* – 1 x marine toilet with disabled access
* – Suitable embarkation/disembarkation with potential for disabled access
* – Vessel to be constructed in yellow grp with heavy duty yellow hypalon tubes
* – Shock mitigation pax seating with storage for personal items (Do they make these in yellow ? Black would be too hot)
* – Storage area for larger items
* - The vessel must have visual appeal

I’m looking for an “open” boat that will satisfy the Surveyor’s requirements for pax to be adequately protected from the elements.

The Fremantle Doctor does not normally get going ‘til lunchtime. The early outbound south westerly trips would be made at 08.30 and 10.00, so the vessel should not encounter any significant seas when fully laden at this time, although there may be some residual swell. Return trips laden, would be at 16.00 and 17.30 and would be with the seas and swell built up during the day.

I’m coming to the UK in July and would be pleased to look at any vessel of this calibre, operating anywhere in Western Europe.

[tim griffin]

Originally Posted by Bittentobuggery

I have contacted some potential suppliers for a vessel of this kind but have not been favoured with a response, so I would like to enlist the help of the Ribnet collective...

Is there anybody out there with the skill, experience and expertise to build a suitable vessel for a 22 mile open water crossing in Western Australia. The basic requirements that I see as critical are : -

* – Accommodate 40+ pax on the 16m hull in comfort, safety and with adequate shelter (Survey requirement)
* – Capable of operating at 40+ kts in smooth conditions with a full complement of pax, fuel, liferafts etc (7-9,000 Kg payload ?)
* – Capable of maintaining a high operating speed in moderate sea conditions – up to 2.5 m wave and swell heights
* – Satisfy WA survey requirements (similar to MCA Cat 4)
* – Wheelhouse to accommodate helmsman + 1 crew
* – 1 x marine toilet with disabled access
* – Suitable embarkation/disembarkation with potential for disabled access
* – Vessel to be constructed in yellow grp with heavy duty yellow hypalon tubes
* – Shock mitigation pax seating with storage for personal items (Do they make these in yellow ? Black would be too hot)
* – Storage area for larger items
* - The vessel must have visual appeal

I’m looking for an “open” boat that will satisfy the Surveyor’s requirements for pax to be adequately protected from the elements.

The Fremantle Doctor does not normally get going ‘til lunchtime. The early outbound south westerly trips would be made at 08.30 and 10.00, so the vessel should not encounter any significant seas when fully laden at this time, although there may be some residual swell. Return trips laden, would be at 16.00 and 17.30 and would be with the seas and swell built up during the day.

I’m coming to the UK in July and would be pleased to look at any vessel of this calibre, operating anywhere in Western Europe.

Cheeta marine catamaran perhaps
Tim

[Starovich]

Originally Posted by tim griffin

Cheeta marine catamaran perhaps
Tim

Max 11.2m? from Range

[Barrowboy]

I wonder if the reason you've not had the response you wished from the potential builders you've approached is because your wish list is a tad ambitious?

I've operated a brand new fleet of three x 26 metre 'fast supply boats' each weighing 100 tons + (built by one of the world's most respected shipyards) in the North Sea for the past 12 months and I can tell you, they've been hammered. We only operate them in conditions less than 2.5 metres significant wave height, but hitting 2 metre waves at 20 knots for 4 hours damages boats and people.

The builders will all tell you that their boat is capable of x speed in y conditions etc, etc but, in reality, the cost in terms of damage if you try to match the 'design speeds' is just too high. We've experienced everything from split tanks and collapsed masts to complete electrical failure and been forced to reduce the operating parameters to the point that a displacement boat would be more suitable on many days!

A 16 metre boat designed to operate at 40 knots+ and carry 40 passengers is a serious piece of kit but if you wanted to run a daily operation, you'd need at least one spare boat on stand-by and, even with the best shock mitigation seating, probably a triage nurse for the passengers on arrival!

Talking of which, it's the Seawork exhibition in a couple of weeks when all the designers, builders and operators gather once again to sell us the 'ultimate solution'.

[Ribochet]

Have a look

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/redbay-1...age-45353.html

Stormforce Range - Redbay Boats

If you are serious give Gary a call - they have two in the mould at the minute

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Have a look

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/redbay-1...age-45353.html

Stormforce Range - Redbay Boats

If you are serious give Gary a call - they have two in the mould at the minute

I agree, as soon as you said 16m the light went on.

[John Kennett]

I suspect that getting 40 knots out of a deep V hull of that size and weight would require an unfeasible amount of power, but I'm sure Redbay would run some numbers for you.

[Bittentobuggery]

Barrow,

Thanks for taking the time to respond in detail and for sharing your valuable experience.

I know what you mean about boats getting hammered and the toll it takes. I brought a 20m fast cat around from Queensland to do this very job 6 years ago. She got hammered on the east coast (remnants of cyclone Guba) and found it very heavy going plugging into the strong southwesterlies on the trip down the west coast and we were forced to lay over for 3 days in Carnarvon.

Upshot was that she wasn't very fast when we got her here and she didn't get the trip, with massive compression going on between the hulls.

Like the sound of the triage nurse Seriously, in these days of ultra litigation, we would not be able to take any unnecessary risks and would need to establish an operational protocol in conjunction with some sort of triaxial impact measurement. (Thank you America !)

The good news is that the weather is usually pretty predictable between October and April. Overnight easterlies get burnt off late morning to be replaced by the strengthening Doctor in the afternoon, which subsides with the setting sun. The easterlies are not a problem as there is no fetch and the seas do not therefore get going 'til early afternoon and as I pointed out in the initial post, we should be running lightship into these seas.

I hadn't banked on a spare boat but did anticipate that we would need a spare outboard. Think we'd have to go with 4 x F350s as we would need the deckspace to accommodate all the seating but I'd be happy to learn otherwise.

[Bittentobuggery]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Have a look

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/redbay-1...age-45353.html

Stormforce Range - Redbay Boats

If you are serious give Gary a call - they have two in the mould at the minute

Might have been one of the builders that didn't favour me with a reply

My feeling is that we wouldn't be able to get the speed out of the hull and that the Redbay pax protection might be overengineered for the "open" boat that I had in mind.

Again, I'd be happy to be proved wrong....(It's becoming a worrying habit !)

[Alan Priddy]

Hovercraft!!

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Alan Priddy

Hovercraft!!

Griffon Hoverwork: The World Leader In Hovercraft Design & Operation


For sure

[Seahorse Marine]

We build bespoke ribs, workboats and passenger ferries and could certainly build a vessel to meet with your criteria.
recent vessels include 3 x 52 seat passenger ferries for the government of Ghana, we also have a stock 15m RIB in our factory ready to be outfitted to a clients requirements.

If you would like a full quotation please let us know.

kind regards

Tony Tait
Seahorse Marine Ltd

[willk]

Originally Posted by Seahorse Marine

We build bespoke ribs, workboats and passenger ferries and could certainly build a vessel to meet with your criteria.
recent vessels include 3 x 52 seat passenger ferries for the government of Ghana, we also have a stock 15m RIB in our factory ready to be outfitted to a clients requirements.

If you would like a full quotation please let us know.

kind regards

Tony Tait
Seahorse Marine Ltd

I would draw your attention to the Forum Trade Membership page

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

I would draw your attention to the Forum Trade Membership page

I'm not sure he's going to get a sale here, considering the OP required :

Originally Posted by Bittentobuggery

* - The vessel must have visual appeal

[willk]

Catch yersel on mon, you sound like a cop refusing to book ugly hookers...

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by willk

Catch yersel on mon, you sound like a cop refusing to book ugly hookers...

Whats wrong with ugly hookers - you can always put a bag over their heads

As long as the body is ok???????

[Andrew at Vectis]

You have an interesting and challenging set of requirements and I don't know of anyone building this boat today. My company specialises in the design of military and professional RIBs and boats and I would be interested in discussing your project with you. We don't build boats but we design boats for quite a few builders and we could certainly put something together for you. We enjoy delivering challenging projects.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Andrew at Vectis

We don't build boats but we design boats

And did you also think that the trade membership rules don't apply when promoting Vectis?

[Cookee]

I thought answering a specific enquiry was OK?

[Andre]

Some time ago I came across a whale watching site in Australia where they were using a very large yellow rib with seats for 40+ , just a roof over the passengers, WC and 4 x Suzuki 300 o/b motors. from that site I found the producer who was funny enough based in Australia. As you want to operate in Australia I am sure you must know this rib and producer. If so are you just wanting to do a price check. I have been to find this site again but without any result

It is going to cost a bomb to ship such size rib to Australia.
We have a 16 mtr which could match your spec but I think we may be wasting time here.
I cannot see the UK MCA coding an open boat for 40 + passengers and speeds of 40 knots. I guess down under you may have more relaxed rules and regulations then we have here.

A hovercraft like Alan suggested would be a nice but a very expensive alternative and yes we are an official agent for Griffon Hoverwork - just thought I would mention that