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INCAT NEWS SITE GOES LIVE!

World leading fast ferry builder Incat has taken its ever popular web site, www.incat.com.au, one step further with the addition of a News Facility section.

The Incat news site is maintained by dedicated content management staff at the shipyard in Hobart, Tasmania. Visitors to the Incat web site can now check back regularly for up to the minute information relating to new vessels, technical details, media releases and for details about our ships in service.

The Incat News site also contains a photo gallery for media use. Members of the media can now access password protected hi-resolution images for publication, direct from the site.

Just as Incat’s high speed ships continue to evolve, so too the web site follows a natural course. The site is at the heart of Incat’s strategy to carry our message to the global audience with an interest in all things high speed.

AUSTAL USA SECURES TWO VESSEL CONTRACT:

Otto Candies LLC orders 2 x 150ft (45.7 m) aluminium Crew Supply Vessels

Austal Limited is pleased to announce that its US operation, Austal USA, has secured a two vessel order for the construction of 150 ft / 45.7 metre aluminium crew supply vessels to operate in the Gulf of Mexico.

The new vessels have been ordered by Otto Candies LLC of Des Allemands, Louisiana, operators of offshore service vessels and are scheduled for delivery in early 2002. This contract adds to the 82ft / 25 metre high speed passenger catamaran already under construction at Austal USA’s new facility.

Austal USA’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Chris Pemberton, said they were extremely excited to win such a contract not simply because of how important it is to the start of the new yard, but also because these vessels will be able to demonstrate the applicability of aluminium vessel construction to the booming offshore supply industry. The knock-on effects could be significant and not just in the US region.

"These aluminium vessels continue the recent trend towards high speed crew transfers to offshore platforms, improving productivity of the vessels but also allowing access to the deeper fields that are being developed," said Mr Pemberton.

Otto Candies LLC is a key innovator in this market and has already proved the concept with the introduction into the Gulf of a 42.8 metre aluminium catamaran, formerly known as Speeder and renamed Seba’an, a vessel which was originally built by Austal Ships as a very fast ferry (> 40kts cruise speed) in the mid 1990s.

On announcing the contract, Otto Candies Jr. said the main reasons for choosing Austal USA were the depth of experience and expertise offered by the Austal Group. "We have a desire to continually improve our operations and Austal was able to provide us with the best solution for our requirements while also incorporating their advanced aluminium technology," said Mr Candies Jr.

With a strong level of interest generated locally by the prominent 360ft x 93ft x 72ft construction hall sitting on the Mobile River, in downtown Mobile, Austal USA will celebrate its official yard opening on 16 February 2001.

ABOUT THE OFFSHORE CREW SUPPLY VESSELS

The 150 ft / 45.7 metre vessels are of monohull design and will be used to service the offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico with an operating speed of 26 knots. Two forward cabins on the main deck provide comfortable airline style seating for 80 passengers (rig crew). Accommodation for six vessel operating crew (three twin berths, galley, mess, bathroom and office) is located below the main deck. The aft cargo deck has been designed to carry up to 150 long tons of cargo.

The vessels will be powered by 4 x Cummins KTA 38 M1 diesel engines (1000 hp) driving Hamilton 571 waterjets through Reintjes WVS 430/1 reversing gearboxes. The waterjets provide excellent station keeping and manoeuvring whilst crew/cargo transfer takes place with control then switched to an aft facing bridge station.

For further information:

Chris Pemberton or Bill Pfister, Austal USA
Tel: 334-434-8000, Fax: 334-434-8080, usasales@austal.com
Or Sonya Clarson, Austal Ships (Australia)
Tel: +61 8 9410 1111, Fax: +61 8 9410 2564, pubrel@austal.com

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AUSTAL USA

World leading aluminium shipbuilder, Austal, (world renowned for its sophisticated fast ferries) established Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama in December 1999 in partnership with leading US shipbuilder Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co Inc to make available Austal’s market leading vessels to the domestic US market and surrounding regions. The majority equity is held by Austal. Currently the coastwise trade laws in the USA (primarily the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act) generally prohibit foreign built vessels from operating on domestic routes in the USA.

US ALLIANCE SIGNALS EXCITING NEW ERA FOR INCAT

In a major new venture set to further increase Incat’s dominance of the fast ship market, an agreement has been signed with Bollinger Shipyards Inc. of Louisiana, to market and build high speed vessels in the United States under the flag of Bollinger / Incat USA.

Just as Incat identified the fast ferry niche over a decade ago the Tasmanian shipbuilder has now identified another area of the marine world in need of radical development. With its sights set on the military, Bollinger / Incat USA is committed to revolutionise the way navies think about and use innovative fast craft technology. As a result the military and coast guard sectors are showing serious interest in multiple numbers of wavepiercing fast craft.

Bollinger Shipyards Inc., is a leading provider of fast military and coast guard patrol boats from its three construction shipyards. With 14 shipyards, at present, all strategically located between New Orleans and Houston and enjoying direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and Intracoastal Waterway, Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region with a total of 42 dry-docks in Louisiana and Texas.

Bollinger / Incat USA has been working on a proposal to the military for a wavepiercing craft, similar to the heavy freight capacity 98 metre Evolution 10B class, that can carry 500 persons and a variety of vehicles at speeds of more than 40 knots over long ranges.

Currently, Bollinger / Incat USA is in discussion with three arms of the US Military to charter a craft for trials. Each has its own unique needs and Bollinger / Incat USA is confident it can supply the craft to exceed their job requirements. From very fast boats for patrol, interception and rescue work to very fast heavy lift ro-ros required for troop and equipment movements, the possibilities, not just within America, but also worldwide, are immense.

The charter of HMAS Jervis Bay (see picture above) to the Royal Australian Navy has served to illustrate the suitability of wave piercing catamarans as military platforms. While the US Military is seen as a bold new arena for the new joint venture it is Bollinger / Incat USA’s firm belief that the US market will springboard its defence vessels into the navies of the world.

For further information contact:
Justin Merrigan, Public Relations.
Phone +61 (0)3 6273 0677, fax + 61 (0)3 6273 0932.
Email: jmerrigan@incat.com.au

WAVEMASTER WINS REPEAT ORDER FOR SECOND 37-METRE MONOHULL FERRY FOR IRELAND

YARD 165 – 37 METRE MONOHULL - IRELAND
Henderson, 21 December 2000: WaveMaster International has announced award of a repeat order for design and construction of a new thirty seven-metre aluminium monohull ferry (Yard 165 - pictured above) for Island Ferries Teo in Ireland.

"They just keep coming back!" said Worldwide Sales and Marketing Director, Lou Pittorino. "This is our second order from Island Ferries, and we are truly delighted that they have joined the long list of repeat customers for ferries and aluminium vessels designed and built by WaveMaster".

DRAíOCHT NA FARRAIGE – 37 METRE MONOHULL - IRELAND
Island Ferries’ first WaveMaster vessel, Draiocht Na Farriage (pictured above), was delivered in May 1999, to the stormy north west coast of Ireland, where she has been operating a busy tourist and commuter service from Rossaveal to the Aran Islands. After the runaway success of her first season, Managing Director Paddy O’Brien proclaimed Draíocht Na Farraige "the best investment we’ve ever made".

Island Ferries’ new ferry will be built to a very similar design as Draiocht Na Farriage and is intended to operate on the same route.

WaveMaster attributed the repeat order to several factors – WaveMaster’s proven monohull design capabilities, the Company’s extensive experience with the demanding requirements of the international High Speed Craft Code, its familiarity with the regulations of the Irish Marine Authorities, and the guarantees of quality and reliability offered under its agreement with the customer.

One key factor was the assurance of rapid delivery. Design and build time will be an express four months. Hulls and superstructures will be built in separate halls to accelerate construction, although the real key to speed of production is WaveMaster’s commitment to use of the world’s most advanced shipbuilding technology.

For example, WaveMaster’s three-dimensional design system - used exclusively in design of aircraft and motor vehicles by companies such as Boeing and General Motors – produces a solid model of the whole vessel, allowing engineers to simplify the installation of complex engineering systems, and to complete the vessel with significantly greater speed and to higher quality standards.

This programme allows customers to realistically access WaveMaster’s design, and ensures that both parties are utterly clear about a vessel’s capacities and capabilities.

This latest order enhances WaveMaster’s growing reputation in Europe, and follows the recent delivery by WaveMaster of its new-generation 50 metre monohull ferry, SPEEDY, to Germany.

The new 37-metre monohull (Yard 165) will be completed concurrently with the series construction of six new 35-metre monohull ferries for Berlian Ferries in Singapore (Yards 201-206), and the major refit and refurbishment of the 44-metre aluminium catamaran ferry MV PolarStern for leading German operator AG Ems (Yard 192).

PRINCIPLE PARTICULARS

VESSEL TYPE : Fast Monohull Ferry
CONSTRUCTION : Marine Grade Aluminium
CLASSIFICATION : Germanischer Lloyd
MARINE REGULATIONS : European Communities Official Journal L.144 (1998)
REGISTRATION AND MARINE AUTHORITY: Ireland
PORT STATE : Galway
ROUTE : Rossaveal-Aran Island
DIMENSIONS :
Length Overall 37.4 m
Length on Waterline 31.0 m
Beam (moulded) 8.0 m
Hull Depth (moulded) 3.0 m
Maximum Hull Draft 1.3 m
Maximum Draft approx 2.5 m
PASSENGERS TOTAL : Total Passengers 294
CREW : 6
MAX DEADWEIGHT : Total Deadweight 29.8 tonnes
MACHINERY:
Engine : 2 x Caterpillar 3412 ‘E’
Continuous Rating : 821 kW @ 2300 rpm
Fuel Consumption : 415 litres/hrs Propulsion : 2 x 5 bladed propeller
Auxiliary : 2 x Perkins 72 kVa
PERFORMANCE : Speed limited to 19.9knots to conform with Regulatory Authority
RANGE : 350 nm (at continuous speed using 90% of Fuel Capacity)
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWING NO. : P1661-1-1 Rev B
 
For further information contact:
WAVEMASTER INTERNATIONAL PTY LIMITED
500 Cockburn Road, Henderson, Western Australia 6166
Telephone [+61 8] 9410 1422
Telefax [+61 8] 9410 2089
Visit us at http://www.wavemaster.com.au
Contact us at wavemast@wavemaster.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST FAST FERRY DEPARTS SYDNEY HARBOUR - 6 October, 2000

The flagship of Australia’s Olympic business program and a key component of a high-profile business strategy designed to snare export "gold" for Australia, the impressive 98 metre Incat Tasmania (057) will depart Sydney today at 1800 hrs.

Arriving in Sydney on September 9 and berthed alongside the Austrade-managed Business Club Australia Centre at Darling Harbour’s Wharf 7, the Incat Tasmania has formed the spectacular centrepiece for Australia’s Olympic shop-front to the globe.

More than 16,000 international and domestic business visitors have visited both Incat Tasmania and the Centre to attend many of the 90-plus presentations held there outlining Australian capability in a wide range of areas.

Spearheaded by Minister for Trade Mark Vaile, along with Federal and State ministers, heads of industry associations and other business leaders, the presentations centred on ICT, agribusiness, biotechnology, infrastructure, engineering and education.

A number of bi-lateral trade associations working in conjunction with Austrade also used Incat Tasmania to stage a series of presentations focusing on the export opportunities developing in several of Australia’s key trading partners. These included the United States, Japan, China, Germany, France, Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Austrade’s Global Manager – Olympics and Sport, David Faulks, described Incat Tasmania’s presence during the Games period as vital in presenting local business with a rare opportunity to increase awareness of Australia’s export capability to a global audience.

Launched in August, Incat Tasmania is the largest vessel of its type to be built in Australia. A near sister to the HMAS Jervis Bay, which saw active service during the East Timor crisis, Incat Tasmania is Hobart bound where she will complete a final fitout prior to sale to overseas interests.

One of Incat Tasmania’s on board features during her stay in Sydney was the famous Hales Trophy, the accolade given for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing, which Incat-built ships have held for the last decade.

On Sunday October 10, The Rotary Club of Kangaroo Bay will host an open day on board Incat Tasmania at Hobart’s Elizabeth Street Pier between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 concession. Bridge and Engine Room tours are an additional $2.00 each. All proceeds will go to Rotary.

For further information on Austrade contact: Mike Parker-Brown, Senior Media Adviser. Tel: +61 (0)2 9390 2745

For further information on Incat please contact:
Justin Merrigan, Public Relations.
Phone +61 (0)3 62 730 677, fax + 61 (0)3 62 730 932.
Email: jmerrigan@incat.com.au

The following schedule for Incat Tasmania is approximate and subject to change:

Friday October 6, 2000
1.30pm Departure from Wharf 7, Darling Harbour
1.45pm Arrival Fleet base 5, Garden Island, Sydney for embarkation of 200 invited guests
2.00pm Depart Garden Island with guests on board
4.00pm Return to Garden Island for guest disembarkation
6.00pm Depart Sydney Harbour for Victoria
Saturday October 7, 2000
8.00am Arrive Port Welshpool, Victoria
10.00am Depart Port Welshpool, Victoria
7.00pm Arrive at Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart, Tasmania
Sunday October 8, 2000
10.00am -5.00pm Open day conducted by the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Bay at Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart
6.00pm Transfer from Elizabeth Street Pier to Macquarie Wharf No.6, Hobart

THERE'S A NEW CAT IN TOWN!

Since arriving at Sydney's Darling Harbour on September 9 Incat's latest craft, the 98 metre Evolution 10b Incat Tasmania (057), has been causing quite a stir. On charter to the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) for use as a business networking venue for the duration of the 2000 Olympic games, Incat Tasmania is the largest aluminium ship built in Australia and dominates the scene at her Darling Harbour berth.

By the end of the Games it is estimated that in excess of 20,000 VIPs from Australia and around the world will have been entertained on board the craft. A unique onboard attraction is the famed Hales Trophy for the Blue Riband of the Atlantic which has been loaned for the occasion by Scandlines, owner of the current record holder, the Incat 91 metre craft Mads Mols (049).

Almost as popular as Incat Tasmania's luxury main deck is the vehicle deck where a replica of Old Hobart Town has been constructed using old packing cases and aluminium offcuts. Of particular interest is a mini-version of Incat's "second office" - Battery Point's famous Shipwright's Arms Hotel!

Following the Olympic Games Incat Tasmania will return to Hobart for final fitout before being delivered to her new owner.

Old and new at Darling Harbour, Sydney

Darling Harbour

Street scene, Old Hobart, Tasmania

For further information please contact:

Incat Australia Pty Ltd
Phone +61 (0)3 62 730 677, fax + 61 (0)3 62 730 932.
Email: incat@incat.com.au

Please call the main office number first, however for contact outside business hours call:

Kim Clifford, Director of Public Relations, kimclifford@incat.com.au, Mobile 0417 332 585
Judy Benson, Assistant to the Chairman, jbenson@incat.com.au, Mobile 0418 335 299
Justin Merrigan, Public Relations Officer, jmerrigan@incat.com.au, Mobile 0417 037 711
Kaye Clifford, Public Relations Officer, kclifford@incat.com.au, Mobile 0409 009 011

SEA WASP RECEIVES FIRM ORDERS FOR 2000 and EXPANDS RANGE OF POWER SOURCE GENERATORS

Sea Wasp Marine Generators' continuous commitment to quality, service and above all customer satisfaction has resulted in firm orders for year 2000 from ADI for the Sydney Supercat Ferries, from Image Marine for the NSW Police boats, the Emergency units for Australian Customs Patrol Boats through Austal Ships, and a custom Gas powered 100KVA Marine Generator for the Solar Sailor Ferry Project.

Due to both local customer and export demand & requirements Sea Wasp is also expanding its range of power source options to include Mitsubishi "S" series prime movers which also meet Sea Wasp's strict requirements for low noise and exhaust emission levels while still maintaining durability and low fuel consumption. In addition to the standard range of proven Kubota/Mecc-Alte based sets other approved Sea Wasp power & electrical options now include Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hino, Cummins and Perkins engines and Stamford Alternators.

For more information call Sea Wasp on +61 2 9699 6555 or visit their website at www.seawasp.com.au .

AUSTAL VESSEL BREAKS 24 HOUR DISTANCE RECORD - "Villum Clausen" the new record holder

Reaching speeds of 47.7 knots, the Austal built "Villum Clausen" has today written its name into the record books, breaking the record for the longest distance travelled by a ship in 24 hours.

En-route to Denmark, the 86 metre gas turbine powered vehicle-passenger catamaran covered a distance of 1063 nautical miles in a 24 hour period, adding another 45 nautical miles to the previous record. The record breaking journey took place on the passage between Sumatra and Cochin, India, during the fast ferry’s delivery voyage from Austal’s Western Australian shipyard to the Danish island of Bornholm for BornholmsTrafikken.

The average speed on the run was 44.29 knots.

The ship’s captain, Claus Kristensen, said the record attempt started on 16 February at 2300 LT north of Sumatra when "Villum Clausen" overtook the Danish container vessel "Marstal Maersk", who noted the ship’s speed and position in their ship’s log as the official start of the attempt, and finished 24 hours later at 2300LT on 17 February, south west of Cochin when she passed the Liberian vessel "Toba".

"After 23 hours "Villum Clausen" covered the distance of 1018.2 nm, which is the distance of the previous record, held by the Danish fast ferry 'Cat-Link V', which won the Blue Riband of the Atlantic on the 20th of July 1998," said Captain Kristensen.

The following documentation will be used as evidence:

The propulsion plant of the aluminium catamaran comprises 2 x GE LM2500 gas turbines generating 18,000 kW each, 2 x Renk gearboxes and 4 x Kamewa waterjets.

"Villum Clausen’s" journey is as follows: Fremantle, Western Australia - Singapore - Penang, (Malaysia) - Cochin, (India) - Djibouti - Suez - Kali Limenes (Greece) - Gibraltar- Kieler Canal - Landskrona (Sweden) - Roenne. She is expected to arrive in Denmark in early March to soon provide a new and much anticipated link from the island of Bornholm to Ystad, Sweden.

For further information:

Sonya Clarson
Tel: +61 8 9410 1111
Fax: +61 8 9410 2564
Email: pubrel@austal.com

SUCCESSFUL TEST OF WAVEMASTER 50 METRE MONOHULL FERRY FOR GERMANY

WaveMaster International has announced the successful completion of tank testing of a model of its new fifty-metre high-speed monohull ferry for Germany.

Schiffbautechnische Versuchsanstalt in Wien GmbH (Vienna Model Basin) conducted the self-propelled seakeeping tests which were witnessed by WaveMaster naval architects and representatives of the owner.

Tests were conducted to check the seakeeping of the vessel, at speed, in conditions typical of those that the vessel is likely to encounter, during its operations on the North Sea. Tests were conducted in significant wave heights of two metres, at speeds up to 27 knots in head seas, beam seas and seas at 30 degrees to the bow. The vessel model was tested in both regular and irregular waves.

Deputy Director of Schiffbautechnische Versuchsanstalt in Wien GmbH, Mr Richard Anzböck, said that he was impressed with the seakeeping characteristics of the vessel. Mr Anzböck said, "In my view, based on these tests, it appears that this vessel will be ideal for North Sea conditions".

For further information:

Please contact Production Manager Mr Mike Jolliffe at WaveMaster International in Perth on +61 8 9410 1422.

WaveMaster International Pty Limited
500 Cockburn Road, Henderson, Western Australia, 6166
Telephone +61 8 9410 1422
Telefax +61 8 9410 2089
Visit WaveMaster at http://www.wavemaster.com.au

Damweld (6 July 1999)

Damweld appointed agent for Netherlands ship builder Damen Shipyards

THE DAMEN STAN PATROL 4100

To improve and extend the fleet of the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Royal Netherlands Navy was asked to write the functional specification for three Cutters in the 30 - 40 meter range. The Cutters were required to operate for 7 day patrols in the Caribbean area, either alone or in co-operation with other Coast Guards and exceptional sea keeping capabilities were specified. Other tasks required were fire fighting, search and rescue and special boarding operations with accommodation provided for extra personnel. The sensors, weapons and communications system (SeWaCo) was specified up to a very high standard for this type of Craft.

Damen Shipyards was awarded the contract to design and construct the Cutters after a public tender with strong international competition. This contract resulted in the new Damen Stan Patrol 4100 Coast Guard Cutters with excellent sea keeping and operational capabilities. The steel hull, aluminJure superstructure and outfitting are classified by the Netherlands Shipping Inspection and Lloyd's: ? 100 A1, SSC, Patrol, Mono, HSC, G5, LMC, UMS. Owner's supervision was undertaken by the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The Damen Stan Patrol 4100 has been developed from a reliable range of patrol and high speed Craft with lengths from 26 to 53 meters. The model basin tests of the new Damen Stan Patrol 4100 at MARIN were also used to refine the final design. The Technical University in Delft - Ship Hydromechanics Laboratory - and the design bureau Nevesbu advised with the implementation of the staff requirements and hull optimisation for the specific sea area in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

This resulted in the Damen Stan Patrol 4100, as an optimum design, for intensive use in the Caribbean Seas.

Due to the lengthened hull, more room was created in the fore ship, to be used in emergencies for the transportation of paramedic equipment and supplies. Furthermore, a stern slipway to launch and recover a high speed tender has been incorporated in the Damen Stan Patrol 4100 design and a rescue boat with crane, as per SOLAS, is fitted on the bridge deck.

The styling by Felix Buytendijk, who has a name of high repute in this field, has been kept simple so as not to influence the building costs and gives the Cutters a modern appearance. The arrangement of the Craft and the bridge with bridge wings, flying bridge, etc. has been developed especially for operation in tropical areas.

Low maintenance costs and easy operation of ship systems were of high importance and are integrated in the design of the Damen Stan Patrol 4100.

THE DAMEN COUGARTEK 1500 ULTRA FAST INTERCEPTOR

To enhance the interdiction capability of the Hong Kong Marine Police, and to replace slower vessels, the Hong Kong Marine Department issued a procurement specification for a highly sophisticated interceptor.

Not only had the craft to exceed a speed of 60 knots, but a major consideration was to incorporate the safest working environment that was practical for the crew of up to eight persons.

The primary role of the craft was high-speed pursuit, either singularly or in consort with other vessels, for the interception, apprehension and deterrence of vessels engaged in smuggling activities in Hong Kong waters.

Damen Shipyards, in association with Cougartek Designs Ltd., presented a proposal that fulfilled the operational requirements and a contract to design and construct five Damen Cougartek 1500 Interceptors was awarded after a public tender with strong international competition.

These aluminium alloy craft were built under Damen's ISO 9001 quality regime with Owner's supervision by surveyors from the Hong Kong Marine Department.

The Damen Cougartek 1500 is a development based on the experience of the design team, over the past fifteen years, in the construction and operation of specialist high speed military and law enforcement craft.

The DC 1500 is designed to provide governmental security operations, police, coast guards, customs authorities and special forces operations with an ultra fast interceptor to counter narcotics smuggling, illicit immigration, insurgency and terrorism.

The DC 1500 when powered by 3 x 373 kW gasoline engines is capable of speeds in excess of 60 knots, and when powered by 3 x 313 kW diesel engines of speeds in excess of 50 knots.

The proven deep-V hard chine hull form exhibits excellent handling and sea keeping characteristics and affords the crew a safe working environment with a soft and comfortable ride.

For further information:

Contact: Gerry Dammer, Tel: 03 9561 4125, Fax: 03 9561 5456
email: marinedb@ozemail.com.au