VESSEL REVIEW | Poseidon – Hawaii tour company adds dolphin-watching catamaran to fleet

Honolulu-based tour operator Hawaii Dolphin recently acquired a new wildlife excursion vessel built to a design by New Zealand naval architecture firm Teknicraft Design.

Poseidon is a semi-displacement, aluminium catamaran vessel measuring 50 by 17 feet (15.2 by 5.1 metres) and capable of transporting 70 passengers across two decks. The main deck seating area has no barriers other than a forward windscreen to shield passengers from spray while underway. This arrangement permits glare-free, unobstructed viewing of marine life from the relative safety of the interior of the vessel.

Other onboard amenities include a sun deck, a built-in waterslide, and space for watersports equipment including paddleboards and snorkeling gear. Passengers will be able to get into and out of the water during snorkeling trips with the aid of customised boarding ladders.

The open-air concept vessel was carefully designed for efficient operations during whale- and dolphin-watching trips. With helm stations on the bow and the stern of the upper deck, the captain has optimal viewing angles to ensure the safety of guests, especially while they swim in the surrounding waters. The design also offers passengers and crew a smooth ride and optimal comfort, as the unique hull provides a cushioned effect when encountering waves.

The catamaran was constructed to US Coast Guard Subchapter T regulations and is fuel efficient at cruising speeds as well as comfortable during tours and snorkel operations. The propulsion package includes twin Cummins QSB 6.7 SL-SW engines each with a rated output of 355 hp (264 kW) at 3,000 rpm driving fixed-pitch propellers. The engines are fed by two 170-gallon (643-litre) fuel tanks.

Poseidon has already commenced operational sailings off the coast of Oahu.