VESSEL REVIEW | Roatan Dream – Fast catamaran for Honduran tour company

Honduran maritime tourism company Dream Ferries recently took delivery of a new catamaran ferry built by US-based Midship Marine.

Roatan Dream is now servicing the busy tourist route between the mainland town of La Ceiba and the Caribbean islands of Utila and Roatan. The vessel has an LOA of 41 metres, a beam of 10.5 metres, a draught of 1.28 metres, and a crew complement of eight.

The ferry features a low draught, aided by the latest propeller tunnel technology. This allows it to operate and berth in any tidal conditions, thus allowing the operator to increase its operational capacity on the 45-minute trip to Utila and the longer one-hour trip to Roatan.

Designed to carry up to 520 passengers in spacious comfort, the vessel also has a large cargo area that allows it to transport freight to and from the mainland. The vessel’s main deck accommodates 266 passengers, including 44 in an outdoor seating section, as well a snack bar, three toilets, and a medical room.

The vessel’s upper deck can meanwhile accommodate 254 passengers, including 40 in a VIP room located adjacent to the wheelhouse. There are also two toilets, a large kiosk, and a lounge.

The catamaran is powered by two Cummins KTA50 engines fed by an 8,000-litre tank and that are capable of delivering a service speed of 25 knots.

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