VESSEL REVIEW | Ocean Master – Western Australia operator adds fast catamaran ferry to fleet

Austal Philippines has delivered Ocean Master, a new all-aluminium catamaran vessel to Australia’s Pinnacle Travel Group for operation by its Rottnest Fast Ferries division out of Western Australia.

The catamaran has an LOA of 32 metres (100 feet), a beam of 10.3 metres (33.8 feet), a draught of only 1.41 metres (4.63 feet), a depth of three metres (10 feet), a capacity for up to 400 passengers and five crew, and extensive cargo space available for passenger’s bicycles and luggage. The passengers are seated on three decks while the storage space for bicycles and luggage are found on two decks.

Multiple seating options for passengers

The main deck will have seating for 202 passengers and will also feature a large bar and kiosk area as well as five toilets. The mid deck will meanwhile have seating for 143 passengers including 68 passengers in a spacious aft deck that has been designed to protect occupants from the elements. The aft deck will also provide access to the vessel's open-air sun deck, which is fitted with 56 seats.

With two MAN D2862 1,029kW (1,380hp) diesel engines driving fixed-pitch propellers, Ocean Master will have an operating speed of up to 25 knots for the 45-minute journey between Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth to Rottnest Island in Western Australia, though the vessel can attain a top speed of 28 knots.

Built to accommodate tourist traffic to and from Rottnest Island

The engines are fed by fuel tanks with a total capacity of 7,400 litres (1,600 gallons). Fresh water and sullage capacities are 2,500 litres (550 gallons) and 2,790 litres (614 gallons), respectively. Power for the onboard systems is meanwhile supplied by two Zenith/Isuzu 6BG1QW 70kVA generators.

Design work on Ocean Master was completed in compliance with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s NSCV 1C/1D requirements. The ferry will commence operational sailings before the end of December 2024 ahead of the peak tourist season in Western Australia.

Construction of Ocean Master lasted less than 12 months at Austal Philippines’ shipyard in Balamban, Cebu province. The vessel was officially accepted by representatives from Rottnest Fast Ferries following the successful completion of sea trials in November 2024.