Jun 04 2008 |
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Oman's first high-speed ferry Shinas arrives
MUSCAT -- Shinas, the Sultanate's first high-speed ferry, has arrived in Muscat, the vessel's builders, Austal, announced here yesterday. The 65-metre-long vehicle-passenger catamaran, billed as the world's fastest diesel-powered ferry of its kind, sailed into Omani waters after a roughly fortnight-long voyage from Austal's shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.Shinas is one of two identical catamaran-style high-speed ferries which will be part of a coastal marine transportation system network linking Khasab in Musandam Governorate and Shinas on the northern Batinah coast. Sister ferry Hormuz, which is currently undergoing sea trials, is due to be delivered sometime later this year. Besides facilitating convenient and speedy travel between the far-flung Musandam, abutting the Strait of Hormuz, and the north Batinah coast, the ferry service also promises to give new impetus to tourism travel along this stretch. Halts at Diba and Lima in Musandam Governorate are also planned.
Owned by National Ferry Boats Co, an Omani government undertaking, the ferries are designed to each carry 208 passengers and 56 cars along an intended 180 nautical mile route. According to Austal, passengers travelling on these ferries will experience unparalleled comfort across three classes -- Tourist Class, First Class and VIP. High quality seating and catering facilities are all located on a single deck, with sea-keeping comfort enhanced by the Austal SeaState Motion Control System. Tourists will be able to travel in a special section on the upper deck, equipped with high back seating for 172 passengers. Each seat is equipped with leather headrests, armrests, meal trays and life-jacket storage.
All passengers onboard Shinas will have access to the vessel's onboard audio-visual entertainment system via headphone jacks installed in each seat. The system offers each passenger the latest in onboard entertainment. In sea trials carried out last November Shinas achieved a record service speed of 52 knots and a maximum speed of 55.9 knots (103.5 km/h), according to Austal. Situated on the bridge deck is a helicopter landing deck designed for a 6.4 tonne helicopter capable of assisting in search and rescue and medivac operations.
By Conrad Prabhu
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