VESSEL REVIEW | Santa Monica 1 – South Korea’s Seaworld Express puts new catamaran ferry on Jeju-Jindo route

A new 76-metre, aluminium Ro-Pax ferry designed and built in Australia was recently delivered to Seaworld Express Ferry of South Korea.

Capable of accommodating 621 passengers and crew and 86 cars or 256 lane metres of freight at speeds of over 40 knots, Santa Monica 1 features a unique hull form with a centre-bow arrangement and a motion control system. These guarantee vastly improved speed and fuel consumption as well as a smoother ride and an enhanced onboard experience for both passengers and crew.

The passenger spaces feature high-quality carpeting, durable timber-look walkways, stainless steel fittings, and elegant wall paneling. All passenger facilities are situated on one deck fitted out for 606 people with 72 executive seats and 98 reclining seats in the forward business class lounge, 232 seats amidships, and 204 seats in the aft cabin, all supplied by Beurteaux.

A services block separates the forward and midship sections and houses male and female toilets, a crew mess, and a centrally located servery, food preparation area, and bar. Finished with stainless steel and glass cabinets to display hot and cold meals, drinks and desserts, the servery is bounded by wide corridors either side allowing customers easy viewing and access while preventing crowding and long lines.

Evacuation facilities for passengers and crew on board Santa Monica 1 comprise four marine evacuation stations, two port and two starboard. Each can serve up to a total of 200 people.

The superstructure is an independent structure, connected to the hull via rubber isolation mounts, for optimum noise and vibration performance. Vehicles are handled via a vessel-mounted ramp at the stern. Car space sizes are 4.5 by 2.3 metres while commercial vehicle lanes on the main vehicle deck are 3.1 metres wide and have a clear height of 3.5 metres. Maximum loads are five tonnes for single axle, dual wheel.

The use of extensive lighting and apertures at the foredeck and stern provide a high level of natural light and air movement through the vehicle deck. The interior spaces in this area are lined with rapid access composite structural fire protection provided by Ayres. All vertical structural steel members are painted bright yellow so that obstructions to vehicles or passenger movement are easily identified.

Situated atop the passenger deck, the wheelhouse features the latest navigation, monitoring, and control equipment. A dedicated berthing station, 360-degree views, and CCTV cameras deliver a high level of safety and control during voyages and berthing.

The vessel offers views from raised helm seating, with all instruments fitted in dark grey and black consoles to aid night vision and minimise distraction. A separate ship's office and lounge is located aft of the bridge where crew can lay out charts, plan voyages, or relax from day-to-day activities.

The ferry also boasts spacious machinery rooms. Inside these are four Caterpillar C280-16 engines that each produce 5,650 kW at 100 per cent MCR. Each engine drives a steerable Kongsberg Kamewa S90-4 waterjet via a Reintjes VLJ 4431 gearbox. Four Caterpillar C7.1 generators rated at 200 ekW each supply electrical power for all onboard systems.

Santa Monica 1 has already begun operating on the 100-kilometre route between the islands of Jeju and Jindo off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month's Passenger Vessel Week.