Austal News - Issue 1 2005 - Austal Ships

AUSTAL NEWS
THE NEWSLETTER OF AUSTAL
TRIMARAN TO DOMINATE
HIGH SPEED SEA TRANSPORT
THE NEW AUTO EXPRESS 127 TRIMARAN BUILT BY AUSTAL FOR
FRED. OLSEN, S.A. IS QUITE SIMPLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VESSEL TO ARRIVE
ON THE FAST FERRY STAGE IN RECENT YEARS AND IS SET TO ENABLE FAST
SEA TRANSPORTATION TO IMPROVE, OPENING UP NEW MARKETS THAT ARE
BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF EXISTING FAST FERRY DESIGN.
“The characteristics of this new vessel, with
a length of 126.7 metres and beam of 30
metres, will improve overall efficiency in terms
of passenger capacity, deadweight and freight
lane metres by more than 35%. At the same
time passenger comfort will increase by 25%
to 40% depending on the routes we operate,”
Mr Olsen said.
ISSUE 1 - 2005
When Austal and European ferry operator
Fred. Olsen, S.A. signed a contract to build a
second high speed vehicle–passenger ferry at
the West Australian shipyard in May 2003 it
signaled the start of not just another ferry from
Austal, but the creation of a new hullform set to
revolutionise fast sea transportation.
“Studies based on actual sea conditions in the
Canary Islands enabled Austal to accurately
model the vessel’s performance on each leg of
the proposed route. The final report showed
the trimaran would offer a 26% improvement
in operability over compared hullforms,” he
explained.
During sea trials with operating ride control
“Benchijigua Express” achieved a speed of
40.4 knots whilst carrying deadweight of
500 tonnes. With a capacity to carry 1,291
passengers and 341 cars, the ferry is now
operating between Los Christianos in the
south of Tenerife and the islands of La Gomera
and La Palma.
Austal’s Chairman Mr John Rothwell is confident
the superior seakeeping performance of the
trimaran will provide Fred. Olsen, S.A.’s
passengers with enhanced levels of comfort and
higher levels of operability.
Fred. Olsen, S.A. Chairman, Mr Fred Olsen
Jnr. said that through the close cooperation
with Austal a highly versatile vessel with many
improvements over his current fast ship fleet has
been developed.
Continued next page
Larger than any existing diesel-powered fast ferry, catamaran or monohull,
"Benchijigua Express" is the world's longest all-aluminium ship.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• FIRST NEW ROYAL
AUSTRALIAN NAVY PATROL
BOAT NAMED • HIGH SPEED
MILITARY CAT DELIVERED
• YEMEN NAVY FLEET DEPARTS
AUSTRALIA • PLEASING HALF
YEARLY RESULTS • AUSTAL
SUPPORTS APPRENTICE
OPPORTUNITIES • TWO FAST
FERRIES FOR GUADELOUPE
• GROUND-BREAKING NEWS
FROM USA • AUSTAL DELIVERY
HERALDS A NEW ERA IN
AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE
CRUISING

PAGE ONE
AUSTAL NEWS
TRIMARAN TO DOMINATE HIGH SPEED
SEA TRANSPORT
Continued from previous page
The main passenger facilities on board
“Benchijigua Express” are located on one
deck, the Upper Deck, which is split into three
distinctive lounge areas, each featuring its own
style of seating, colour scheme and facilities as
well as extensive use of full height windows to
ensure a sea view for all. Above this, on the
Observation Deck, a VIP lounge is provided for
up to 134 passengers.
The aft lounge is tastefully finished with blues
and reds containing a mix of Ocean Tub seats
supplied by Beurteaux with tables and recliner
style seats surrounding the forward facing bar.
The midship lounge is the focal point for many
onboard activities and is bordered by an
impressive glass fronted shop/kiosk, outboard
seating area and a café servery area.
Some of the finest views on board “Benchijigua
Express” are enjoyed from the comfort of the
forward lounge which boasts a panoramic 300
degree view of the horizon via sweeping tinted
windows. The lounge caters for 296 passengers
in forward facing Ocean Tourist reclining seats
and a bar equipped with facilities to serve a
variety of food and beverages.
Above, on the Observation Deck is the “Classe
Oro” VIP Lounge offering impressive sea views
from the highest vantage point available to
passengers. Tastefully furnished in soft browns
the lounge is laid out with Ocean Tub and
Ocean Executive seating for 134 passengers.
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The vessel’s vehicle decks offer a total of 450
truck lane metres plus space for 123 cars or a
total of 341 cars. The main vehicle deck also
benefits from having full width access across
the stern and the fitting of hoistable mezzanine
vehicle decks gives the operator the flexibility
to carry a mix of cars and freight. The vehicle
deck is uncovered forward and aft, creating
a natural air flow through the space, however
two extraction fans are installed on each side
to ventilate the area above and below the
mezzanine decks.
Arranged in two separate engine rooms in the
trimaran’s central hull are four MTU 20V 8000
diesel engines, each rated to 8,200kW. Those
in the aft engine room each drive a Kamewa
125 SII steerable waterjet from Rolls-Royce while
the two forward engines deliver their combined
power to a Kamewa 180 BII steerable waterjet.
“Even though the Austal ferry is larger in terms
of both length and capacity, our analysis shows
that the trimaran’s manoeuvring characteristics
will be better than those of Fred. Olsen, S.A's
existing vessels,” said Mr James Bennett, Austal’s
Technical Manager.
“This has been achieved by fitting two Ulstein
Aquamaster UL601 azimuthing bow thrusters
from Rolls-Royce. The ability to synchronise the
thruster and waterjet control systems will give the
captain maximum control to ensure fast, efficient
and safe operation in port. Once in open water
the electrically driven thrusters are retracted into
the hull to reduce drag and thus maximise speed
and efficiency,” he explained.
Vessel motions are controlled by the movement
of three sets of control surfaces fitted to the
centre hull. The system consists of a T-foil
forward, two anti-roll fin stabilisers at about
two-thirds of the length aft and finally two
interceptors at the transom.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length overall
Beam
Hull draft (max)
Maximum deadweight
126.7 metres
30.4 metres
4.2 metres
1000 tonnes
Crew 35
Passengers 1291
Vehicles
PROPULSION
341 cars or
450 truck lanes metres and 123 cars
Main engines 4 x MTU 20V 8000
Gearboxes
Waterjets
PERFORMANCE
Speed (500 DWT, 32.8MW)
2 x Renk ASL65
1 x Renk ASL 2X80
2 x Kamewa 125 SII
1 Kamewa 180 BII
40.5 knots

PAGE TWO
First new Royal Australian
Navy patrol boat named
THE FIRST OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY’S FLEET OF NEW HIGH
PERFORMANCE PATROL BOATS TO BE KNOWN AS THE ARMIDALE CLASS
WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE AUSTAL SHIPYARD
IN HENDERSON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON 22 JANUARY 2005.
The 56 metre all-aluminium monohull was
named “Armidale” by Ms Jana Stone, the eldest
daughter of Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson
who served on the original HMAS “Armidale”, a
Bathurst class corvette, during World War II.
The ceremony was attended by approximately
200 senior figures from the Royal Australian
Navy, Defence, government and industry
including the Minister for the Environment and
Heritage Senator Ian Campbell as representative
of the Minister for Defence; the Chief of the
Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie
and the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon
Geoff Gallop.
VIP guests celebrate the naming of “Armidale”. (L-
R): Mr John Rothwell, Chairman, Austal; The Hon.
Geoff Gallop, Premier of Western Australia; Ms Jana
Stone, Naming Lady for “Armidale”; VADM Chris
Ritchie AO RAN, Chief of Navy (at rear); Senator
The Hon. Ian Campbell; Mr Adrian Kloeden,
Chairman, DMS; Dr Stephen Gumley, CEO, DMO.
The Prime Contractor, Defence Maritime
Services, teamed with Austal to win the A$553
million “output specified” contract to provide
and support through their service lives a fleet
of patrol boats to replace the ageing Fremantle
Class. Austal is responsible for the design and
construction of the 12 Armidale Class vessels
and DMS is managing the overall project
requirements, including establishment of a fleet
management organisation that will provide
integrated maintenance, logistic and crewtraining
support to the vessels throughout their
operational lives.
Austal’s Executive Chairman, John Rothwell,
expressed his great satisfaction with progress
on the prestigious RAN project.
“The project’s targets have consistently been
met or exceeded and the feedback from
Defence has been overwhelmingly positive.
Our ability to meet what is regarded as an
aggressive construction schedule demonstrates
that the approaches that make Austal successful
in building commercial vessels can also be
applied to naval shipbuilding,” Mr Rothwell said.
“Armidale” is on schedule for delivery in May,
the other 11 patrol boats will be delivered
at regular intervals over the next two-and-ahalf
years and the Australian Government has
indicated its intention to order a further two
vessels. These would be specifically tasked with
patrolling the waters around offshore oil and gas
facilities in the north-west of Western Australia.
Newly named “Armidale” commences sea trials off
the coast of Fremantle, Western Australia. Photo
courtesy of RAN
HIGH SPEED MILITARY
CAT DELIVERED
“AMH SeaCoaster”, the 31.2 metre
long surface-effect catamaran that will be
used to demonstrate advanced hullform
technology to the United States Office of
Naval Research (ONR), has now been
delivered.
The ship was built for American Marine
Holdings, which has been awarded
a contract to demonstrate its licensed
technology SeaCoaster design to ONR.
ONR coordinates, executes and promotes
the science and technology programs of
the Navy and Marine Corps as well as
providing technical advice to the Chief of
Naval Operations and the Secretary of
the Navy.
The patented SeaCoaster catamaran
design features cavities in the bottom of
each hull into which air is blown providing
lift to the vessel, reducing resistence,
and thus allowing higher speeds to be
obtained. Designer-inventor Don Burg
expects speeds of up to 56 knots.
Following its successful evaluation by ONR,
American Marine Holdings expects various
departments of the US military to decide on
potential applications for the air-inducted
technology and possibly order additional
vessels for specific uses.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Overall length
Beam
Hull depth
Main engines
Propulsion
Speed
31.2 metres
9.75 metres
3.35 metres
4 x 1045kW
Caterpillar diesels
4 x ZF surface-piercing
propellers
56 knots

PAGE THREE
YEMEN NAVY FLEET DEPARTS
AUSTRALIA IN RECORD SHIPMENT
PLEASING HALF
YEARLY RESULTS
The unusual sight of ten navy patrol vessels
being loaded onboard the heavy lift ship
“Maria” in the first week of February
contrasted the normal exports leaving the
Western Australian port of Fremantle. The
shipment was a truly international logistics
exercise involving Austal; Singapore-based
project and heavy lift shipping specialist Coli
Shipping (S); SAL, the German owners of
“Maria”; and the Yemen Ministry of Defence
which ordered the boats in June 2003.
The delivery of these vessels heralds an
important step in Austal’s progress as an
internationally recognised supplier of navy
and patrol vessels. It followed the naming
ceremony for the first of twelve 57 metre
patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy,
and reflects Austal’s status as one of Australia’s
most successful and advanced manufacturing
companies.
The heavy lift ship left the Australian Marine
Complex on Wednesday 9 February and
arrived in the Middle East nation’s new
maritime force in the port of Hodeida in late
Austal
supports
apprentice
opportunities
February. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of the
new patrol boats were the 60 members of the
Yemen defence force who each spent several
weeks in Perth last year receiving instruction on
vessel operation and maintenance techniques.
Ten 37.5 metre patrol boats en route to Yemen
A combination of local and country applicants
have made their career start as a new
apprentice with Austal. Over 60 of these new
recruits have begun a four year program to
achieve a trade qualification and others will
commence in July.
As a large scale manufacturer Austal has
provided opportunities in the following areas;
• Electrical
• Aluminium Fabrication & Welding
• Marine Fitout
• Marine Fitters (Engineering)
IN FEBRUARY 2005 AUSTAL
LIMITED ANNOUNCED ITS HALF
YEARLY RESULTS REVEALING
A PROFIT OF $21.6 MILLION
AFTER INCOME TAX AND
OUTSIDE EQUITY INTERESTS.
THIS IS COMPARED WITH THE
$3.0 MILLION REPORTED FOR
THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD
LAST YEAR.
As at 31 December 2004, contracted
commercial and defence orders provided still
to be recognised revenue of $386 million
through to 2007. This order book excludes
the two 105 metre catamarans for Hawaii
Superferry, two additional Armidale class patrol
vessels announced by the Prime Minister and
the two initial Littoral Combat Ships which are
the subject of options. These orders would
collectively add over $500 million to the
order book.
In total, Austal provides the opportunity
for around 80 students a year to enter the
shipbuilding industry in these trades and
employs approximately 1000 people at its
shipyards in Henderson.
Apprentices are supported through significant
recognition programs and, with operations
in the USA, there are promotional and travel
opportunities available on completion of their
training.
total covered area of 16,500 square metres for
ship production, roughly quadruple the existing
facility. The expansion will add two large bays
connected by 2 mezzanine levels, two additional
launch aprons in front of each bay, a combined
wharf (bulkhead) length of 238 metres and
additional overhead cranes capable of lifting 80-
tonne modules in each bay. When complete the
new facility will accommodate a total workforce
of up to 700 personnel.
GROUNDBREAKING NEWS FROM THE USA
WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY AS
AUSTAL PREPARES FOR LITTORAL
COMBAT SHIP PROJECT.
Austal’s US operation located in Mobile,
Alabama, celebrated the start of work on its
expanded facilities with a groundbreaking
ceremony on January 17, 2005.
The new construction halls when added to
the existing facility will provide a combined
The yard is currently building a 105 metre,
high speed vehicle-passenger catamaran in its
existing facility. Upon completion, this ferry will
completely fill the current hall emphasising the expansion
needed to accommodate the US Navy’s
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that are based on a
127 metre trimaran hull, as seen on the recently
delivered “Benchijigua Express”.
A decision on the option in place to build one
or two initial Littoral Combat Ships is expected
towards the end of 2005. Construction of up
to 60 ships over a 15 year period has been
identified for future US Navy requirements.

PAGE FOUR
Vessels currently
under construction
AUSTAL NEWS
AUSTRALIA
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
37.7m private research
monohull
Private Owner
Bahamas
Gold Express
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
45m passenger catamaran
and 45m vehicle-passenger
catamaran
L'Express des Iles, SA
Guadeloupe
12 x 56m naval patrol
boats
Royal Australian Navy
Australia
Silver Express
TWO FAST FERRIES FOR GUADELOUPE
IN OCTOBER AUSTAL ANNOUNCED A FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF
ITS ALREADY SUBSTANTIAL ORDER BOOK THROUGH THE SIGNING OF A
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
67m vehicle-passenger
catamaran
Virtu Ferries
Malta
85m vehicle-passenger
catamaran
Hellas Flying Dolphins
Greece
CONTRACT FOR TWO FAST FERRIES.
The 45 metre catamarans are being built for L’Express des Iles SA, a French company that
operates both domestic and international services from Guadeloupe. Its existing fleet of four fast
ferries includes two catamarans built by Austal in 1998 – the 40 metre, 300 passenger “Opale
Express” and the 47.6 metre “Jade Express” which has capacity for 329 passengers and 10 cars.
Currently under construction in Austal’s Henderson shipyard, the two vessels are due for delivery
in October 2005 and are intended to replace the two non-Austal catamarans in the L’Express des
Iles fleet. One will carry 360 passengers and 10 cars and the other 446 passengers but they will
have identical four engine propulsion arrangements providing a speed of 38 knots fully loaded.
USA
Vessel Type:
Client:
Destination:
105m vehicle-passenger
catamaran
Hawaii Superferry
USA
Austal’s Chairman Mr John Rothwell said he was extremely proud of the company’s track record of
securing repeat business. He attributes the customer loyalty to the emphasis the company places
on working closely with clients to ensure they are provided with vessels and follow-up service that
completely meets their needs.
“While there are numerous instances of operators turning to us after initially operating fast ferries
built by other shipyards, the reverse situation is virtually unheard of. This reflects the extremely
high level of satisfaction with both the vessels we build and the service we provide our customers,”
he said.
AUSTAL EXHIBITION
ACTIVITIES 2005
• Fast 2005 Conference, St Petersburg,
27 – 30 June
• 2nd Fast Ferry Conference, London,
28 – 29 September
• Interferry, Athens, 4 – 7 October
• DEMA, Las Vegas, 4 – 7 October
• 5th International Forum on Aluminium
Ships, Tokyo, 11 – 13 October
• Ferries, Florida, 7 – 9 November
• International Workboat Show, Louisiana,
30 November – 2 December
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Passenger-only
Vehicle-passenger
Length overall 45.24 metres 45.24 metres
Beam 12.30 metres 12.30 metres
Draft 1.80 metres 1.80 metres
Crew 6 6
Passengers 446 360
Vehicles 0 10 cars
Cargo / luggage 4.5 tonnes 4.5 tonnes
PROPULSION
Main engines 4 x MTU 16V 396 TE74L 4 x MTU 16V 396 TE74L
Gearboxes 4 x ZF 7550 4 x ZF 7550
Waterjets 4 x Kamewa 63 SII 4 x Kamewa 63 SII
PERFORMANCE
Speed 38 knots 38 knots

PAGE FIVE
AUSTAL DELIVERY HERALDS A NEW ERA IN
AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE CRUISING
FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL SEA TRIALS,
AUSTAL’S LATEST CRUISE YACHT, THE
36 PASSENGER “TRUE NORTH” HAS
BEEN HANDED OVER TO ITS OWNER
AND OPERATOR, NORTH STAR CRUISES
AUSTRALIA.
With several similar deliveries to its credit Austal
is the established leader in adventure-tourism
and live-aboard diving vessels for private and
commercial owners. All of this experience and
expertise has been utilised in the creation of
“True North” which is replacing the 34 metre
vessel of the same name delivered by Austal
in 1999.
“This repeat order is testimony to Austal’s ability
to develop custom design solutions within budget
guidelines and always deliver a high quality,
reliable product that is able to attract discerning
passengers for the operator,” said Austal Sales
Manager, Mark Stothard.
On the main deck there is a dedicated
passenger dining room with seating for
40 passengers, together with a galley that
is comprehensively equipped to efficiently
provide five-star, fully plated meals for the entire
passenger complement in a single sitting. The
main lounge, located on the upper deck, can
comfortably seat 50 people and is served by a
fully equipped bar. The lounge is complete with
twin 46-inch plasma screens, full audio/visual
facilities and also features a passenger Internet
station. A forward observation lounge provides
a more subdued area for relaxation.
The upper deck aft alfresco area is larger than
on the previous vessel and is served by the bar
adjoining the internal lounge. This area has its
own audio system and connects with the internal
main lounge by way of a four-leaf concertina
glass door, thus providing a number of lounge/
bar configuration options.
As the new vessel will operate on a 24 hours-aday,
seven days-a-week basis for 11 months of
the year, improved accommodation and other
facilities have been provided for the 18 crew.
This includes much larger cabins,
more spacious toilet / bathroom facilities and
a laundry that is five times the size of the
previous vessel.
External features include a helicopter-landing
pad capable of taking a Bell 407. The heli-deck
has a full perimeter fold down handrail system
that allows the helicopter to operate from a
clean deck as well as providing a very large
safe area for guests when the helicopter is not
in operation.
“True North” carries a fleet of six tenders used
primarily for passenger excursions. The tenders
are launched using two dedicated hydraulic
deck cranes, notably the starboard side crane is
equipped with its own emergency power system
to allow the launching of one of the tenders as a
rescue boat.
At 50 metres in length, “True North” has been
skilfully designed to accommodate all of the
above facilities and improvements giving
passengers “big boat” atmosphere and ride
comfort whilst retaining the ability to explore the
highly secluded, difficult to access locations that
have helped establish the North Star Cruises
Australia experience as one of the world’s most
sought after cruising experiences.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length overall
Beam
Hull draft
49.9 metres
10.0 metres
2.2 metres
Passengers 36
Passenger cabins 18
Crew 15
PROPULSION
Engines 2 x Caterpillar 3508
Gearboxes 2 x Reintjes WVS 430/1
Propellers
PERFORMANCE
Speed
2 x Fixed Pitch
13 knots
AUSTRALIA (HEAD OFFICE)
100 Clarence Beach Rd Henderson Western Australia 6166. Tel: +61 8 9410 1111 Fax: +61 8 9410 2564 marketing@austal.com
USA
100 Dunlap Drive Mobile Alabama 36602 USA. Tel: +1 251 434 8000 Fax: +1 251 434 8080 usasales@austal.com
www.austal.com
SERVICE
100 Clarence Beach Rd Henderson Western Australia 6166. Tel: +61 8 9410 1111 Fax: +61 8 9437 3064 service@austal.com
OCEANFAST
18 Clarence Beach Rd Henderson Western Australia 6166. Tel: +61 8 9494 9999 Fax: +61 8 9494 9900 boats@oceanfast.com.au