Following successful sea trials, the 12m Z bow Catamaran Pina Colada, designed by Chris Tucker Marine Design and built by Inverloch based Aluminium boatbuilder Alumarine, was recently launched and delivered to her new owners, GSL Marine in the Whitsunday’s where she will serve the newly refurbished Daydream Island as their passenger day vessel. Maritime Survey Australia completed the vessel’s initial survey for Class 1C for up to 50 passengers plus 4 crew.
Alumarine, a specialist builder of wave piercing catamarans, worked around the clock to deliver one of their finest ever vessels.
Naval Architect, Chris Tucker Marine Design were entrusted with the design of a vessel which would be uniquely suited to her role as a tourism and passenger vessel, able to cope with a variety of conditions, but most importantly offer passengers and crew a safe and enjoyable voyage.
A quad rig version with 5.5m beam, the Pina Colada is fitted with 4 X 325HP Suzuki outboards, enabling her to achieve a top speed of 40 knots whilst comfortable cruising at 20-25 knots using 120-160 lph. The new Suzukis with duo prop’s give the vessel excellent thrust and manoeuvrability and unlike a lot of catamarans, this vessel will turn flat under power.
Her bow door enables passenger transfers on- and off the beach, and she has an aft swim platform with steps which fold down to the water level allowing snorkelers to enter and exit the water with ease. When not in use, the steps fold up to form part of the aft bulwarks.
The vessel has top deck access with passenger seating and excellent visibility from the wheelhouse. Foredeck access is via a glass sliding door in the forward bulkhead, which also has sliding windows for excellent airflow through the vessel. Alumarine’s custom poly pipe fendering system at deck level runs around the motors and at bulwarks level.
Internally, the vessel is thoughtfully laid out with ample space on the lower and upper decks to offer passengers unforgettable views. For the kiosk and toilet, Alumarine opted for a composite GRP panel fit out. Fully equipped to cater to all her passengers’ needs, the Pina colada also has a 240V drinks refrigerator and Zip hot water service powered by 2 x 5VA inverters.
Maritime Survey Australia worked with the builder and designer to ensure the vessel’s compliance with relevant survey standards for use as a commercial vessel.
This included the following:
Design Approval Phase – Approval of design drawings for the vessel against design standards.
Construction Phase – Inspection during the vessel’s construction against the approved design.
Commissioning Phase – Testing and trialling the vessel and its systems to ensure its functions as designed and meets applicable standards including safety systems, type of safety equipment, assessment of intact and damage stability, and reliability of on-board machinery.
Building or buying a new vessel or changing class?
Contact Maritime Survey Australia today to discuss your project requirements.
An Initial Survey is the inspection of a vessel, generally for the first time, to assess and approve its design and construction against the requirements of the NSCV or other standards that apply under Marine Order 503 (Certificates of Survey National Law) 2013.
Our initial marine surveyors will liaise with the vessel builder and designer to check compliance against the relevant survey standards to minimise delays, or prevent any last-minute headaches, to ensure a vessel is able to comply as a Domestic Commercial Vessel.
