VESSEL REVIEW | The Jackson – Dinner cruise vessel built for Australia’s Sydney Harbour

Australian tour operator the Kelsian Group (formerly the SeaLink Travel Group) recently introduced a new luxury charter vessel that will sail on dinner cruises. Conceived specifically for Sydney Harbour, The Jackson is designed to host up to 700 passengers as well as 60 crew for dinner- and cocktail-style events.

Designed by a local naval architecture firm and built by Hong Kong/Chinese shipyard Cheoy Lee, The Jackson boasts a functional arrangement and exterior design conceived by Anthony Haworth, Kelsian’s Group General Manager of Business Development Marine and Tourism.

The yacht-style vessel has an LOA of 62.5 metres, a beam of 12 metres, and a draught of 2.5 metres. The steel hull and the aluminium superstructure have been engineered to navigate the environmentally sensitive waters of Sydney Harbour while providing guests with a smooth and comfortable ride. The vessel’s design balances the requirements of functional systems with prominent design aspects such as pillarless accommodation spaces with high ceilings that allow for swooping window lines.

Guests are provided with amenities that include a main deck lounge that may also accommodate private events, an upper deck bar with a retractable roof, and a middle deck for banquets and cocktails and fitted with an audiovisual setup.

The design also incorporates a unique multi-level galley configuration. The bespoke main galley incorporates high-level commercial equipment, five tailored storage areas, and integrated operating systems such as drainage, water, electricity, and communications.

Power is provided by two Scania DI16 engines that drive Schottel 370ekW propellers to enable The Jackson to reach a top speed of 11 knots and a service speed of nine knots. Electrical power is supplied by two Scania DI13 generators.

The Jackson was built to NSCV 1E requirements.