TRADEABOAT.COM.AU | 179COMMERCIAL NEWS | THE BUSINESS ENDHobart’s Museum ofOld and New Art (Mona)
is now serviced bytwo locallydesignedand
built aluminium passengercatamaransthat are
as highly distinctiveas the venuethey serve.
Christened Freyabut commerciallyknown
as MR-II, the newestboatis the second
design produced forthe Monaoperationby
Commercial Boat Design.It followson from
MR-I which enteredservicein 2013.
The service alreadytransportsover
180,000 passengersbetweenMonaand
the Hobart waterfrontannuallyand the
new vessel will enableexpansion,as well as
better matching ofcapacitywith demand.
For example it is anticipatedit will be usedto
shuttle diners to Mona’srestaurantsafterthe
museum has shut forthe day.
Mona Ferries GeneralManagerJohnRoche
has said the decisionto returnto Commercial
Boat Design was aneasyone followingthe
success of the 34mMR-Iwhichhe described
as: “highly efficient,handlingextremelywell
and very user friendly”.
Commercial BoatDesignDirector,Kim
Chamberlin, said thatin additionto practical
and performance requirements,the briefwas
for a “completely unique”vesselthat would
“fittingly representthe Museumof Old and
New Art.”
Chamberlin saidthat,in this regard,
his firm’s layout, navalarchitecture,and
engineering work hadbeencomplementedby
the efforts of otherexperts.
“Interior and graphicdesignersGeorgina
Freeman and DamienScottexcelledwith
an ‘evil billionaires lair’themethat mustbe
seento believed,”he said.Highlightsof the
distinctivethemeincludea junglewith tigers,
monkeysand a gorilla;wallabyfur lined
booths;and a goldlatrine.
In additionto the multipleart installations
and very high-endfitout,practical
requirementsincorporatedby Commercial
BoatDesigninclude:
Upstairsand downstairsbars for general
ticketholders,fully equippedfor food,cold
beverageand coffeeservice;- A completelyseparateVIP loungeand bar
that can seat up to 45 passengersbut also
be size adjustableto caterfor a varying
mix of VIP and regularpassengers; - Separateheadsfor upstairs,downstairs
and VIP passengers;and - A fully-equipped galley.
MR-II is in survey for 190 passengers who
all benefit from an open, spacious and light
feel created through the inclusion of extra
height windows and high deckhead clearances
of 2.3m to the lining.
“Fitting the functionality and equipment
of our previous 34m design into a smaller
29m platform was a significant challenge,”
Chamberlin notes.
“This was made even more so by the
competing need to maximise efficiency in
order to keep the operating costs per head
comparable to the larger vessel. In the end,
even with the considerable fitout resulting in
a full load displacement of 105 tonnes, this
was immensely successful and she carries the
weight with efficient ease.”
Chamberlin said MR-II actually exceeded
expectations on sea trials. “The catamaran
achieved 33kt on trials and her service speed
of 24.9kt is achieved easily with only 65 per
cent engine load,” he said.
“Even when limited to 950hp for
operational reasons she still achieved 29kt
fully loaded.
“If you do the numbers you’ll see that
represents exceptional, class-leading fuel
efficiency for a vessel of this size.
“Achieving her service speed at two-thirds
engine load should also significantly increase
engine life,” he added.
Chamberlin said the MR-I hullform was
further refined through tank testing to
“...take what was already an extraordinarily
efficient design to a whole new level, whilst
maintaining generous hull interior space to
accommodate machinery and equipment.”
Two MAN D2862 LE 463 engines, each
capable of producing 1,400hp at 100 per
cent, power the ferry. Mikado five-bladed
propellers spun via a Twin Disc MGX 6620 SC
gearboxes provide propulsion.
Tanks hold up to 8,000L of diesel, and
there is also tankage for 2,000L of fresh
water and sullage.
This means the catamaran for operate for
up to week without refuelling, enabling peak
season service to be met.
Both Mona catamarans were built in
Hobart – MR-I by Incat Tasmania and MR-II by
Richardson Devine Marine, who Chamberlin
says “...achieved an impressively high quality
of workmanship on both vessel construction
and the complicated fitout.”New Ferry For MONA