Incat Crowther reports that the first Flex Ferry developed in conjunction with Singapore’s Penguin Shipyard has now been delivered to South Africa, where it will be operated by the Robben Island Museum.
Located 4.3 miles west of Cape Town, the island is best known as the site of the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was long held captive.
However, the island has a long history and the just-delivered 225 passenger Flex Ferry is named Krotoa, for the first female prisoner to be held on the island, to which she was banished in 1669,
The Krotoa is the first vessel in Penguin Shipyard’s passenger ferry stock build program. The second vessel will be completed in the coming weeks.
Carrying 285 passengers, the Flex Ferry sets a new benchmark, offering efficiency and seakeeping beyond its competitors. The vessel also exhibits excellent handling and maneuverability characteristics
Krotoa features boarding locations aft and amidships, as well as foredeck access, giving it great operational flexibility. Large luggage racks greet passengers as they board amidships on the main deck, in addition to stairs to the upper deck. Crew accommodations and bathrooms are located aft on the main deck.
Upstairs, a further 89 passengers are accommodated, with two toilets being provided.
The half-height wheelhouse affords excellent visibility, while the aft outboard corners of the upper deck are cut away to give unencumbered engine removal paths.
Krotoa is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT main engines, each producing 1,081 kW and driving optimized, high efficiency fixed pitch propellers.
The Flex Ferry is classed by Bureau Veritas to 2000 HSC Code Category A.
