Gladding-Hearn Gets Bermuda Ferry Contract

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has begun construction of two new fast ferries for the Governemnt of Bermuda, Ministry of Transport. The first vessel will be delivered in September, followed by a second in early 2002.

The Somerset-Mass., Shipyard was chosen from among 12 yards from four countries - Australia, Norway, Denmark and theU.S. - that competed for the project.

Designed by Incat Designs, Sidney, Australia, the 250-passenger ferries will be part of a new "seamless" transportation system involving integrated docks for bow loading and electronic tickets that will be compatible with the government's bus system, explained government officials.

Each all-aluminum vessel measures 84 ft. (25.72 m) long, 30 ft. (9.2) abeam, and draws 5.3 ft (1.6 m).

The vessels will be powered by twin Detroit Diesel 12V-2000 engines, each delivering 965 bhp (720 BkW) at 2,100 rpm. They drive five-bladed Ni-Br-Al (nickel-bronze-aluminum) propellers via ZF 2.5:1 reverse/reduction gears. When fully loaded the vessels are expected to reach a top speed of 25 knots.