Recently, Australian ship design company Incat Crowther secured a contract from Cruise Whitsundays, a subsidiary of the Australian tourism group Beyond, to design a 36-meter-long passenger vessel.
The new vessel will be constructed by Austal Vietnam shipyard, with construction expected to commence in 2026. Upon delivery, it will operate year-round as a resort transfer service, shuttling between Airlie Beach, Daydream Island, and Hamilton Island Resort in Australia, as well as Cruise Whitsundays’ offshore floating platform Reef World at Hardy Reef, 39 nautical miles out.
The vessel is specifically designed for the local sailing environment, optimized for its route, and incorporates infrastructure conditions such as docks. It can carry up to 390 passengers, including 10 wheelchair-accessible seats, with a speed of up to 25 knots, and can maintain efficient operation under low engine load.
The new vessel features multiple decks, offering a variety of outdoor and indoor seating options. The open-air upper deck includes seating for 48 people and a large viewing platform. The upper deck also houses a crew lounge, administrative office, and a full-width wheelhouse.
The mid-deck features a first-class lounge with 36 seats, where passengers can enjoy exclusive views through large portholes. The lounge is equipped with comfortable seating, a rest area, and a dedicated bar. The same deck also includes a premium lounge accommodating 64 passengers and a covered outdoor seating area for 80 passengers, along with passenger restrooms and a self-service area, accessible via an internal staircase to the main deck.
The main deck can accommodate up to 160 passengers and includes a large buffet service area and a separate bar, a spacious kitchen (with refrigerated and dry storage areas), a medical room, and three restrooms (including one accessible restroom).
The new vessel will be powered by two Mitsubishi S16 T2MPTK engines and will be equipped with a Naiad active ride control system, ensuring passenger comfort even in waves up to 2.5 meters high.
