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EUROPEAN UPDATE ject, and the first vessel — Sassacus — under- went a keel laying ceremony at the end of July. At this time, Mr. Hayward was enthusiastic about the future of the project announcing: "We have high hopes for Sassacus and each TriCat that follows. We see this craft and seven other FBM models we are licensed to build as playing important roles in the marine superhighway of the future. The tribe is committed to finding alternative modes of transportation such as high-speed ferries and plans to sell them not only in the United States but also in Canada and throughout South America." With a cruising capability of 47 knots, the TriCat is powered by a lightweight, compactly proportioned Taurus 60M marine turbine, an industrial two-shaft, variable-speed engine offering high speed and low pollution levels. This arrangement is coupled to a waterjet propulsion system which is reportedly powerful enough to empty the equivalent of an Olympic- sized swimming pool of its 600,000 gallons of water in just 55 seconds. While the Pequot Nation embarks on its first project, the new high-tech FBM shipyard in the Philippines is also making headway with two, 196.8-ft. x 72.1-ft. (60 x 22-m) building sheds scheduled for completion in November. Subsequent stages on the 10-acre site will include construction of sheds with capacity for large car-carrying catamarans and offshore patrol vessels. FBM and partner Aboitiz Group expect to slip the first vessel in mid-1997. It will be a TriCat, one of five further vessels ordered by CTS Parkview, Hong Kong. When these are complete, FBM's parent company will operate 10 vessels on its Hong Kong to Macau route. Back in the U.K., an order has been received for two further TransCat catamarans which will join four existing vessels providing a regu- lar commuter service on the 14-nm route across the River Tagus between Lisbon and the suburb of Montijo. Of identical design, the newbuildings will travel at a service speed of 20 knots carrying 500 passengers with a maximum cruising speed capability of 25 knots. The first of the ferries will be built in Cowes while the second is to be subcontracted to Estaleiros Navais do Mondego in Portugal with a proportion of the sub-assembly work, pre-cut components and all the high-tech elements pro- duced in the U.K. A similar arrangement was successfully employed in the construction of the former vessels, with the first two — Alges and Castello — being built in the U.K., while Chiado and Bica were completed in Portugal. The TransCat design was selected for the route due to its low wash and wake character- istics, as well as its shallow draft, permitting operation in less than 2 m of water. To facilitate a speedy turnaround at low height pontoon berths, two wide entrances are provided on each side with hydraulically operated ramp doors. Introduction of the ferries on the popu- lar commuter route has reportedly reduced the journey time by half. Delivery of the final batch is scheduled for September and November of next year. One of the most innovative developments within the company in recent years is its SWATH technology. Expertise gained in the design and construc- tion of passenger ferry Patria (in service since 1989 on the open Atlantic route from Madeira to Porto Santo) has been put to use in the con- struction of a passenger-transfer vessel for the U.K. naval fleet. A stable platform and good directional control were required by the MoD for passenger transfer in open sea conditions to and from warships and auxiliaries in the fleet. Each aluminium alloy vessel is to be fitted with twin marine diesel engines of approxi- mately 450 kW each, driving conventional pro- pellers to give a service speed in excess of 11 knots in Sea State 3. Accommodation includes comfortable high-backed seating for up to 75 passengers, a kiosk with limited cafeteria facil- ities, and crew accommodation. A moveable "BE ST VALUE FOR MONEY" ASTANO ASTANDER CADIZ P.O. BOX 994 15080 Ferrol La Coruna - Spain Tel. (3481) 34 3211 Fax (3481) 34 3252 P.O. BOX 10 39080 El Astillero Cantabria - Spain Tel. (3442) 54 0050 Fax (3442) 54 0026 P.O. BOX 39 11080 Cadiz Spain Tel. (3456) 27 3350 Fax (3456) 27 8362 ASTILLEROS ESPANOLES November, 1996 Circle 210 on Reader Service Card 35
