Expedition Cruise Vessel

The construction of “Mare Australis”, the new 70.1m 128-passenger small cruise ship, opens up new commercial and international relations for the Chilean shipyard ASENAV. The preliminary design and basic engineering was developed by Elliot Bay Design Group, of Seattle (USA), and ASENAV completed detail engineering. To satisfy their customer’s needs, both shipyard and designer, had to meet important requirements. First, the arrangement had to be as similar as possible to Terra Australis, the existing vessel, maintaining similar hull form, while complying with current SOLAS requirements.

The other challenge was to provide excellent seakeeping characteristics, now also according sea conditions in the extended area she will operate. She will be classified by ABS, achieving a “+A1 (E) Passenger Vessel + AMS” class notation.

The vessel will be powered by two 850 BHP main engines, providing a cruising speed of 12 knots. Auxiliary power will come from a pair of 230 kW gensets, along with a 120 kW harbour generator and 120 kW emergency generator. The vessel will carry 100 cum of fuel and 160 cum of potable water. Much attention is paid to minimisation of noise and vibration throughout the accommodation, with “floating floors” and insulation installed wherever it was considered necessary. The result will be an extremely quiet and vibration-free ship. This vessel is due for delivery in October 2002.