A new catamaran for Scotland from Wight Shipyard Co

Wight Shipyard Co has delivered its latest vessel to high profile Scottish tourism operator Loch Ness by Jacobite. The new 20 metre day-cruise passenger catamaran Jacobite Maverick is joining the company’s fleet sailing between Dochgarroch, just outside Inverness, Clansman Harbour and the historic ruins of Urquhart Castle.

“We are delighted to see Jacobite Maverick sail to her new home on Loch Ness as she represents our first order for Scotland,” says Wight Shipyard Co CEO Peter Morton.

“The Loch Ness by Jacobite order was announced in September last year and came only a matter of days after the confirmation of a repeat Red Funnel order which itself followed the delivery to MBNA Thames Clippers of two 35 metre low-wash river catamarans for London.

“The Jacobite Maverick underpins WSC’s track record in building sustainable and low environmental impact vessels,” Peter Morton says.

“Loch Ness by Jacobite is seeing incredible growth and last year we welcomed almost 300,000 passengers onto the waters of Loch Ness,” says Freda Newton, Managing Director of Loch Ness by Jacobite.

“The new catamaran built by Wight Shipyard Co continues our investment in Loch Ness by Jacobite, our people and our fleet so we can offer the very best visitor experience. We have been most impressed by Wight Shipyard’s skills and in particular the quality of finish in their vessels,” she says.

Designed by One2three Naval Architects the hullform of the new catamaran is designed to provide through-life efficiency with low structural weight assisting lower fuel consumption.

The Jacobite Maverick accommodates 200 passengers who board over the forward and aft decks. The aft deck seats 13 passengers while the foredeck has 15 seats and is fitted with hinged boarding ramps. Passengers enter a well appointed and tastefully finished cabin with seating arrangements for 102 passengers tailored to Loch Ness by Jacobite requirements. Specially crafted bench seating finished in the company’s own tartan is complemented by tasteful oak tables manufactured by the shipyard. There is also provision for securing two wheelchairs in the cabin and throughout, all passengers can view 32” flat screen televisions showing the depths below.

Providing refreshments and snacks is a spacious café/kiosk which is fully equipped with two servery bench sinks, an under counter refrigerator, two fridge coffee machines, a hot chocolate machine and an ice maker.

The Four toilets are located at the rear of the accommodation, one of which is for disabled customers. Each WC includes a dual water flushing toilet and a raised bowl hand basin complete with a Dyson airblade tap hand dryer.

Above, on the upper deck, outdoor seating is provided for 84 passengers aft of the elevated wheelhouse which is equipped with the very latest in navigational aids. The instrument panel with all gauges, indicators and warning lights associated with main engines is positioned so that each component is readily visible to the helmsman. The bridge wings are fitted with a control station.

In the hulls of Jacobite Maverick, the engine rooms are laid out in a clean, accessible manner and feature removal hatches over each engine, completely clear of overhead obstructions. The vessel is powered by two Scania DI9 main engines, each producing 257kW @ 2100 rpm. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 17 knots, the vessel will cruise at 12 knots on Loch Ness further slowing to 5 knots in the Caledonian Canal.

Principal particulars

Builder: Wight Shipyard Co, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.

Designer: One2three Naval Architects, Sydney, Australia

Craft Classification: Lloyd’s Register A1 SSC Catamaran Zone 2 (MSN1823) Cat C Waters LMC DNVGL 2017 LC R4 Passenger

Flag Certification: Domestic MSN1823 Passenger MCA UK Cat C

Length Overall: 21.34m

Length Waterline: 20.24m

Beam Moulded: 7.60m

Load Draught: 1.90m

Deadweight: 20.83 tonnes

Capacity

Fuel: 2 x 2000 litres

Fresh Water: 1 x 500 litres

Sullage: 1 x 1500 litres

Passengers: 200

Machinery

Main engines: Two Scania DI9 marine diesel engines, each producing 257kW (350hp) @ 2100 rpm

Fuel: 70 l/hr (total) at 12 knots fully loaded

Gearboxes: Two Twin Disc MGX 5114 SC

Propulsion: Two fixed pitch, 5-bladed propellers

Generators: 2 x 30kW Kabota engines powering 2 x Beta Marine generators, 33kVa 230V 50 Hz single phase.