New vehicle ferry to serve Australia's Southern Moreton Bay Islands

A new Ro-Pax ferry will enter operational service in the waters off the Southern Moreton Bay Islands community in South East Queensland, Australia, before the end of February.

Designed by Sea Transport and built by Harwood Marine, Mirrabooka boasts an air-conditioned lounge and a sun deck accommodating 199 passengers and crew, a cafe, a wheelchair lift for access between the vehicle deck and the passenger lounge, and toilet that may also be used by individuals with reduced mobility.

Safety features include an electric vehicle spray rail, multiple fire pumps, a foam monitor for open vehicle deck fires, a deluge system beneath the cafe deck, and advanced fire suppression systems.

The new ferry has a length of 44.9 metres, a beam of 16.5 metres, and space for up to 40 standard cars as well as trucks. The vehicle spaces include two truck lanes and four car lanes, all without height restrictions for trucks.

Power for the vessel is provided by four Scania D13 engines.