Marine Log - October 2007 - (Page 24) COVERSTORY Hawaii. While interest groups certainly have the right to express themselves, it must be done lawfully. It is the responsibility of government to protect the rights and safety of all parties involved.” THE TECHNOLOGY Technologically, the Alakai is on par with the most advanced high-speed passenger vehicle ferries operating in ICE CLASS TANKERS Europe. Propulsion is supplied by four 20-cylinder MTU 8000 M71 series diesel engines, each rated at 8,200 kW at 1,150 rev/min, that drive four KaMeWa 125 S11 waterjets. The vessel can reach speeds 40 knots, 90% MCR at operational deadweight and with active Ride Control System The Alakai is classed by Germanischer Lloyd in accordance with the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft. Its class notation for its hull is +100 A5, HSC-B OC4 Craft High Speed Passenger/ Ro-Ro Type and machinery: +MC, AUT. At 90% Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) engine power, the ferry achieved 40 knots—two knots above its contractual requirements—with operating deadweight on board and an installed active Ride Control System. The ferry consistently averaged 42.5 knots at 100% MCR during the course of trials. With a draft of 3.6m and a beam of 24m, the ferry will commute between the Hawaiian Islands at speeds up to 40 knots. The vessel is four decks high, including two decks for the car and truck loading, one deck for passengers and the bridge deck reserved for the pilot and his crew. The second deck or mezzanine deck is 2/3 hoistable in order to facilitate parking for lighter cars and leave maximum parking space for the larger trucks. The vehicle deck clearance with the mezzanines raised is 4.6 to 4.7 meters and 2.6 meters below and 2.2 meters above when the mezzanines are lowered. The ferry can carry a maximum deadweight of 800 tons. The Upper Deck has three main dining areas for 866 passengers with a bar and lounge on each end, food counter, gift shop, video game room, children’s play area, restrooms, crew mess, purser’s office, and first aid room. Arguably one of the most important pieces of equipment on board is the Night Navigator 8540 camera system. Approved for the HSC code, holding both DNV and RINA certificates, and recently acquiring U.S. Coast Guard certification, the Night Navigator is an allweather system, incorporating a gated image intensified camera and a highspeed lens to gather infrared light— which can illuminate up to 2,000 meters ahead of the vessel. This crisp and accurate day light view allows operators to identify potential dangers in the water. The Night Navigator will prove beneficial for the ship’s safe operation at night, while underway during darkness. The Night Navigator, supplied by Current Corporation, is a system that will assist the operators in the detecting, and thus avoiding the whales and other objects, as well as prove valuable in assisting search and rescue operations at night. A Night Navigator will also be supplied for the sister to the Alakai, which will launch in early 2009. ML 24 MARINE LOG OCTOBER 2007 www.marinelog.com http://www.marinelog.com
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