Ship & Boat International eNews: December 2020
Baltic Workboats of Estonia has concluded 2020 with the introduction of two new aluminium ferries to its roster. First up, the Ferry 30 Cat (pictured, right) measures 30m x 9.5m, has a maximum draught of 2.5m and can carry 200 passengers: roughly 100 indoors (including 50 seated, 50 standing, plus five wheelchair users) and 100 standing on the deck. The deck can also accommodate up to 75 bicycles and/or mopeds.
A pair of Volvo Penta D13 main diesels provide the vessel’s power, turning fixed-pitch propellers through a ZF gearbox and enabling a cruising speed of approximately 7.5knots, increasing to just over 9.5knots max. The builder says: “The propulsion configuration allows [the ferry] to sail with only one engine towards a safe harbour in case of an emergency.” Solar panels are installed on the top of the sunroof deck, to harvest energy for the vessel’s hotel needs. Classification of the Ferry 30 Cat has been overseen by Lloyd’s Register (LR).
The second model, monikered the Ferry 22 Electric, has a length of 23m, a 6.5m beam, a maximum draught of 1.2m and capacity for 100 passengers, and will operate purely on battery power. An onboard diesel genset will recharge the batteries when shore power is unavailable and, in the event of an emergency, power an outboard motor so that the vessel can safely return to shore. A typical charging exercise will see the Ferry 22 Electric draw up to a charging tower on a floating pontoon, where it will be “secured via fixed length mooring lines, [with] a small amount of thrust kept on propulsion.”
As with the Ferry 30 Cat, a rooftop spread of solar panels will assist the Ferry 22 Electric when it comes to non-propulsive requirements. Baltic Workboats adds: “For optimum efficiency, the panels are connected to the system with a micro converter, and are easily accessible for cleaning [and]feature seawater- /water-/dirt-resistant glass.” The ferry offers seating for 40 passengers, space for 40 bicycles/mopeds and five wheelchair slots, and is capable of a top speed of just under 9knots.
