VESSEL REVIEW | It's About Time – Catamaran ferry to provide airport shuttle services in Saint Lucia
FunToSee Island Ferry, an operator based in Saint Lucia in the eastern Caribbean, has taken delivery of a new catamaran ferry.
Like other vessels in the FunToSee fleet, It’s About Time will be operated as an airport shuttle ferry, connecting travellers arriving at Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra Airport with resorts and other destinations across the island.
With an LOA of 55.5 feet (16.9 metres), a beam of 18 feet (5.5 metres) and a lightship displacement of 35,000 lb (16,000 kg), It’s About Time is certified under US Coast Guard Subchapter T to operate as a commercial passenger vessel. Seating is available for up to 49 passengers while the vessel will be operated by two crewmembers.
Outboard arrangement optimised for offshore and inter-island routes
Power for the vessel comes from four Yamaha XTO 450hp (340kW) outboards mounted on custom tandem offshore brackets, a configuration chosen to deliver the performance and reliability required for operation in open water environments. This arrangement can deliver a cruising speed of 26 knots and a range of 225 miles (360 kilometres).
Comfortable two-deck seating
The vessel’s interior reflects a high level of finish throughout. The main cabin features Freedman Genoa Plus seating for 35 passengers, fixed Corian-topped tables seating up to 14, and a fully equipped concession area with laminate cabinetry, refrigerator and direct-overboard sink drainage.
The main cabin also has wall finishes in white carbon fibre, teak-and-holly deck vinyl, and pine joinery.
Topside, the upper deck boasts additional seating beneath a custom multi-panel Serge Ferrari Stamoid enclosure with roll-up Strataglass windows. This tailored solution offers weather protection without sacrificing the open-air experience for passengers.
A Lumitec Poco system provides lighting throughout the vessel. The setup includes RGBW deck lighting on both the upper and aft decks, courtesy lighting fore and aft, and LED deck lights at the bow and the stern.
The electrical system includes a Victron inverter-charger, Blue Sea battery chargers, and AGM battery banks supporting both start and house loads.
Safety features for open-water navigation
The navigation electronics include a Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv multifunction display, a Garmin 18HD radar, a Garmin class B AIS transponder, and a four-camera IP surveillance system. A Fusion three-zone stereo with 1,500W amplifier is also installed.
The safety equipment meets full US Coast Guard Subchapter T requirements. Included are lifefloats rated for 52 persons total, an EPIRB, a full complement of type one lifejackets, a Fireboy fire suppression system, and carbon monoxide and smoke detection sensors.
Fuel is fed from two 250-gallon (950-litre) tanks.
