Gladding-Hearn Lands Bermuda Ferry Contract

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has begun construction of two new fast ferries for the government of Bermuda, Ministry of Transport. The first vessel will be delivered in September 2001, followed by a second in early 2002.

The Somerset-Mass., shipyard was chosen from among 12 yards from four countries - Australia, Norway, Denmark, and the U.S. - competing 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, said government officials.

Each all-aluminum vessel measures 84 ft. long, 30 ft. beam, and draws 5.3 ft.

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 propellers via ZF 2.5:1 reverse/reduction gears. When fully loaded the vessels are expected to reach a top speed of 25 knots.

The vessels will be classed to Lloyds Register of Shipping.