'Cat Cocos Isle of La Digue' – a 26.6-metre fast catamaran ferry, was launched from the Richardson Devine Marine (RDM) facility in Hobart, Australia on March 5. Equipment commissioning followed by builder's and owner's trials were completed by March 22.
Inter Island Boats of the Seychelles contracted RDM for the design and build package in mid-2010 after settling on a preliminary general arrangement developed in collaboration with Sydney-based Incat Crowther.
The keel was laid August 19 and quickly took shape. Powered by two MTU 12V2000M70 engines with fixed five-blade Mikado propellers, 'Cat Cocos' exceeded performance expectations. She will comfortably cruise at 25 knots with a full load of 227 passengers and four crew. Trim and ride control are managed with a Humphree active interceptor system.
'Cat Cocos Isle of La Digue' will be hoisted aboard a heavy lift ship for the transit to the Seychelles early April 2011.