New fast ferry begins operational sailings with Australia's Pinnacle Travel Group

Australia's Pinnacle Travel Group, via its Rottnest Fast Ferries division, has begun operational sailings of its newest fast catamaran ferry.

The all-aluminium Ocean Master was built by Austal Philippines. The newbuild has an LOA of 32 metres, a beam of 10.3 metres, a draught of only 1.41 metres, a depth of three metres, 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.

The main deck has seating for 202 passengers and also features a large bar and kiosk area as well as five toilets. The mid deck meanwhile has 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 also provides access to the vessel's open-air sun deck, which is fitted with 56 seats.

With two MAN D2862 1,029kW diesel engines driving fixed-pitch propellers, Ocean Master can achieve an operating speed of 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.