Demand for Aluminium Boats Australia’s eco friendly fast ferries continues apace with an order for a fifth vessel quickly following delivery of the fourth 24 metre ferry to Bay Islands Transit Systems (BITS).
The Kurrowera I is the fourth eco friendly vessel built for BITS services in Queensland’s Moreton Bay Marine Park. The first of the four fast waterbuses, the Jumpinpin, entered service in May 2009, being joined by the second, the Perulpa, last September. She was followed by a third, the Kurrowera I (I), in May 2010.
The fourth vessel, also named Kurrowera I (II), was handed over on 16th June 2010.
“In an Owners operational change, the fourth craft took the name of the previous vessel which had been renamed A.L. Robb shortly after delivery in honour of the late founder of the Bay Islands services”, explained ABA’s sales manager Justin Merrigan.
Like her sisters, the Kurrowera I is powered by two Scania DI12 59M diesel engines, each rated 331kW at 100% MCR. Delivering swift acceleration they quickly work up to a service speed of 22 knots.
Custom designed and built for environmentally sensitive waters the vessels deliver an optimum solution for any area where there are shallow waters and an environment at risk. The waterbuses offer large carrying capacity; up to 200 passengers on short trips, while delivering low fuel consumption.
“The order for a fifth vessel for BITS is very pleasing and comes at a time when interest in the design is being felt from places such as Central America, the Middle East and Asia”, says Justin Merrigan.
Work on the new ferry begins immediately with delivery scheduled for December, bringing the total number of vessels delivered by ABA in 2010 to five.
