US NAVY'S - Incat

Bonanza Express © Andrew Cooke
The Bonanza Express was Incat’s second 96 metre vessel
being delivered in May 1999 to Fred. Olsen S.A. for service
in the Canary Islands, the Spanish province 100 kilometres
off the north-west coast of Africa. Serving the 35 nautical
miles route between the ports of Santa Cruz in Tenerife
and Agaete in Gran Canaria, the ferry slashed previous
travel times between the two ports from two hours and 15
minutes to just one hour.
The introduction of this vessel by the Fred. Olsen Company
was a major step forward in maritime transport in the
Canary Islands, being the first high speed ferry to operate
in the entire archipelago. Discussions between Fred.
Olsen and Incat had been going on for several years, but
it was only with the introduction of the 96 metre class that
the operator really sat up and took notice.
With this design the customer was satisfied with the
craft’s ability to carry high volumes of passengers and
cars as well as heavy freight vehicles, offering the
flexibility to meet seasonal and market fluctuations.
A maximum deadweight of 775 tonnes underpinned the
freight intake capacity while the provision of moveable
mezzanine vehicle decks allowed the necessary lane
where are they now
The Bonanza
Express
Justin Merrigan
HULL 051
metres required for maximum car loading, as well as
the requisite headroom for commercial vehicles. As
built, the vessel was designed to carry a total of 755
passengers and 235 cars or alternatively 105 cars and
25 heavy goods vehicles.
On trials The Bonanza Express achieved speeds of
48 knots in lightship condition and 42.85 knots at 630
tonnes deadweight.
Today The Bonanza Express offers a daily two hour
service between the islands of El Hierro and Tenerife,
as well as daily connections between Los Cristianos
(Tenerife) and San Sebastián de La Gomera.
32 Incat THE Magazine Issue 36