T&T Spirit (IMO 9280897)

[Nick the Greek]

2nd February, 2007

Trinidad & Tobago Embraces Incat Wave Piercing Technology, Second Incat Purchase for High Speed Operation

The government of Trinidad & Tobago has purchased its second Incat Wave Piercing Catamaran in as many months.....

The former US Army Theatre Support Vessel Spearhead (Hull 060) has been purchased from its Delaware, United States based Owners, Bollinger / Incat LLC. To that end the four-year-old fast ferry, to be renamed T&T Spirit, is currently being refitted for passenger service after a well documented career with the US Army. When she emerges from her refit at Incat's Hobart shipyard T&T Spirit will be sporting a new white hull along with the Trinidad & Tobago national colours of red, white and black on its sides.

Recently, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) purchased the Incat 91 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran The Lynx in a US$21 million deal with Australian owner Allco Finance Group. Renamed T&T Express, the ferry, which was once well known for its eye catching black Devil Cat livery, has also been painted with the national colours of Trinidad & Tobago.

Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said that the Cabinet had decided to purchase the two fast ferries instead of leasing them, resulting in projected savings over a ten year period of TT$200 million on T&T Express and TT$100 million on T&T Spirit.

Incat Chairman Robert Clifford comments, "Almost five years ago the Port Authority and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago started to develop a vision for the national seabridge based on identifying and then implementing world's best practice in the ferry industry. From the outset demanding benchmarks for proven year round in service reliability, high levels of passenger comfort, low operating costs and the ability to carry heavy freight were established.

Πηγη η Incat

[Nick the Greek]

With the permanent acquisition of T&T Express and T&T Spirit, these benchmarks have been exceeded and let there be no doubt, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has emerged as a significant player in the global ferry market, offering a world class fast ferry service," Mr Clifford said.

Incat's Wave Piercing Catamaran technology revolutionised the Trinidad & Tobago seabridge in January 2005, when after three years of investigating tonnage options, the PATT chartered Bay Ferries' Incat 98 metre The Cat (Hull 059). This vessel entered commercial service on the 85 nautical mile route between Port of Spain and Scarborough and since then, by operating in the Caribbean during the off peak season of its core Canadian operation, The Cat has been instrumental in demonstrating the suitability of Incat Wave Piercing Catamarans on this demanding service.

Immediately upon entering service The Cat, operating at speeds of approximately 40 knots, slashed crossing times in half to two hours and fifteen minutes and for the first time the nation's seabridge became a reliable and predictable transportation alternative to air travel. The craft quickly became the transport of choice and with capacity for 900 persons and up to 267 cars she successfully responded to the major challenge of catering for 10,000 passengers over the Carnival period.

The T&T Express is currently operating along with The Cat, which remains on seasonal charter on the crossing until April, and as a result doubles the passenger and vehicle capacity on the seabridge. Both ferries make their return voyage in the late afternoon giving travellers a full day in either island.

T&T Spirit Principal Particulars

Length overall 97.22 m

Length waterline 92.00 m

Beam overall 26.60 m

Beam of Hulls 4.50 m

Draught 3.43 m loaded

Speed approx 38.0 knots @ 700 tonnes deadweight

approx 42.0 knots @ 350 tonnes deadweight

 

Capacities

Deadweight approx 700 tonnes

Total persons 900

Vehicle Deck Axle Loads Transom to Frame 49 - maximum 10 tonnes per single axle

Forward of Frame 49 Ramp A to D - 0.8 tonnes per axle.

Fuel (operating) 190,080 litres

Fresh Water 2 x 5000 litres

Sewage 2 x 4500 litres

Lube Oil 2 x 1500 litres

Oily Water/Waste Oil 2 x 1600 litres

Machinery Installations

Main Engines 4 x resiliently mounted Ruston 20RK270 marine diesel engines, each rated at 7080 kW @ 100% M.C.R. at 29/35 Celsius

Vertical dry exhaust system discharging outboard at portal top.

Water Jets 4 x Lips 120E waterjets configured for steering and reverse.

Transmission 4 x Reintjes or ZF gearboxes, approved by engine manufacturer, with reduction ratio suited for optimum jet shaft speed

Alternators 4 x Cummins N14 265kW (nominal) marine brushless self-excited alternators

Ride Control A 'Maritime Dynamics' active ride control system is fitted to maximise passenger comfort. This system combines, active trim tabs aft and fold-down T-foil located at aft end of centre bow fitted with active fins

[Nikos_Chania]

Το INCAT νούμερο 60 χτίστηκε το 2002 και παρελήφθη από τις ΗΠΑ λίγο μετά την συμφωνία για την απόκτηση μιας και ήταν ήδη σε φάση κατασκευής από την INCAT. Αποτέλεσε το δεύτερο ταχύπλοο του USNavy από την εταιρεία αλλά το πρώτο Theater Support Vessel (TSV) του Πολεμικού Ναυτικού και πήρε το όνομα Spearhead. Από την ημιτελή επιβατηγό κατασκευή του, τα ναυπηγεία μέσα σε ένα μήνα το ολοκλήρωσαν ως πολεμικό, βάζοντας παράλληλα σπαστό καταπέλτη για τα βαρέα οχήματα. Τέλη του 2002 παραλαμβάνεται από τις ΗΠΑ με μορφή 3ετούς ναύλωσης. Παρόλο που δεν είχαν γίνει αρκετά δοκιμαστικά, αυτό δεν εμπόδισε το Πολεμικό Ναυτικό να το στείλει στον κόλπο για την μάχη κατά του Σαντάμ.

Τέλη του 2005, λήγει η ναύλωση και το πλοίο παραμένει στην INCAT. Το 2006 πωλείται στην κυβέρνηση του Trinidad & Tobago, ονομάζεται T&T Spirit και από το 2007 πλαισιώνει το T&T Express στα δρομολόγια μεταξύ των δύο νησιών που αποτελεί το σύμπλεγμα του ομώνυμου κράτους από τα λιμάνια Port of Spain στο Trinidad και το Scarborough στο Tobago. Το δρομολόγιο διαρκεί περίπου 2,5 ώρες καλύπτοντας μία απόσταση περίπου 85νμ.

Έχει μήκος 97,22 μέτρα, πλάτος 26,6 μέτρα και αναπτύσσει ταχύτητες έως 40 κόμβους. Μπορεί να μεταφέρει 865 επιβάτες και 180 ΙΧ οχήματα.

Ας το δούμε λοιπόν σε μερικά στιγμιότυπα, τον περασμένο Ιούνιο, κατά τον κατάπλου του στο Port of Spain καθώς και κατά την αναχώρησή του για το Scarborough λίγες ώρες αργότερα.

Αυτή την περίοδο αντικαθίσταται από το Jean De La Valette.

 

 

 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Nikos_Chania