VESSEL REVIEW | Kilimanjaro VII – Brand new fast ferry for Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar route

VESSEL REVIEW | Kilimanjaro VII – Brand new fast ferry for Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar route
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Richardson Devine Marine Constructions has just launched Kilimanjaro VII, a 45-metre catamaran passenger ferry for Azam Marine of Tanzania, Africa.

This vessel is the seventh vessel built for the operator by Richardson Devine Marine to supply a passenger ferry service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. As per the previous six vessels, Sydney-based Incat Crowther was responsible for the design and engineering.

The vessel seats 224 passengers in its main deck business cabin, 72 VIP passengers and 18 "royal class" passengers in luxurious lie flat seats on the mid deck, with the remainder being economy passengers in separate areas over three decks.

VIP and royal class passengers enjoy dedicated personal entertainment screens with a food and beverage ordering service incorporated into the system. A major enhancement from earlier vessels is the relocation of the wheelhouse to the third deck. This configuration results in panoramic windows forward on the mid deck for the royal class passengers, creating an impressive experience for occupants of this high-revenue space.

The expansive wheelhouse is full width with internal wing stations and four forward facing elevated crew seats for the master, mate and engineers. There is a comfortable bank of armchairs for travelling company executives or guest VIPs.

To facilitate efficient boarding of passengers and luggage the 500-passenger, 35 knot vessel features a parallel boarding system from ship-based, electrically operated, hinged boarding access ways.

There are four passenger access entries per side with level-adjusting boarding stairs and a dedicated cargo access ramp. VIP and royal class passengers board into a discreet stair tower directly to the upper deck cabin. Main deck business passengers also board midships with economy passengers boarding aft.

Luggage trolley movements are managed safely using a high-speed winch mounted in the luggage room overhead. The luggage room houses up to 10 tonnes of luggage and cargo. The boarding system ensures passenger classes and luggage trolleys are segregated, reducing turnaround time and improving safety, whilst promoting exclusivity for the higher yield passengers.

Kilimanjaro VII is the first fast passenger vessel to use a pair of Cummins QSK95-M main engines. RDM said the large, twin-engine solution was an effective way of providing more speed whilst avoiding the through-life cost and complexity of a four-engine power train. Engine room accessibility is improved over a four-engine arrangement, and maintenance and operational requirements are reduced.

Kilimanjaro VII impressed on the sea trials last week, operating at a fully loaded speed of 30 knots at low proportion of MCR to offer very long engine life. She has a top speed in excess of 37 knots and has proven smooth and quiet. For passenger comfort and to assist seakeeping, the vessel is fitted with a Naiad active interceptor system, whilst IMO HSC code-compliant stability enhances her safety credentials. The journey between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar is around 42 nautical miles and should take approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

Kilimanjaro VII
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:Passenger ferry
IMO Number:9887554
Classification:DNV Stucture and Stability / NSCV Fitout and Safety
Port of registry:Zanzibar
Flag:Tanzania
Owner:Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries, Tanzania
OperatorKilimanjaro Fast Ferries, Tanzania
Designer:Incat Crowther, Australia
Builder:Richardson Devine Marine Constructions, Australia
Construction material:Aluminium
Plate cutting:Router
Length overall:44.9 metres
Length waterline:42.9 metres
Length bp:42.9 metres
Beam:11.5 metres
Draught:1.5 metres
Depth:4.25 metres
Displacement:250 tonnes
Deadweight tonnage:63 tonnes
Gross tonnage:681
Net tonnage:234
Main engines:2 x Cummins QSK 95, each 3,600 hp (2,700 kW)
Gearboxs:2 x ZF 9050 NR
Propulsion:2 x Rolls Royce/Kongsberg 80 G4 waterjets
Generators:2 x Cummins 6-CP 136 DM/5 136ekW;

Onan MDKDR/12503, 17.5kW

Maximum speed:34 knots
Cruising speed:30 knots
Hydraulic equipment:Mahle NFV KFWA – 2 Fuel Scrubber
Electronics supplied by:Island Marine
Radars:2 x Furuno 12 kW
Depth sounder:Furuno
Radio:Icom
Satcom:Sea Tel
Autopilot:Furuno
Compass:Furuna Sat Compass
GPS:Furuno
Plotters:Furuno
AIS:Furuno Class A
Audio video system:Bazeport
Capstan/windlass:Muir
Alarm system/s:C-Zone
Paints/coatings:Wattyl polyurethane above water;

International 1100SR underwater

Windows:Gjames
Seating:Eknes / Beurteaux
Lighting:LED
Floor/deck surface finishes:Tarkett, Armstrong
Interior fitout/furnishings:Ayres composite panels
Safety equipment:RFD
Liferafts:RFD
Rescue boat:Highfield non-Solas 3.8 metres
Type of fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:22,000 litres
Freshwater capacity:2,000 litres
Sewage/blackwater capacity:3,000 litres
Accommodation:8 crew berths
Crew:10
Passengers:504

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