Incat’s newest catamaran Buccoo Reef to set sail for Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean

Incat’s newest catamaran, the Buccoo Reef, will depart for the Caribbean – heralding a shortage of work for one of the world’s most renowned boatbuilders. PHOTOS + VIDEO >>

• EXPLAINED: The next steps for an Australian-built Spirit
• Incat to make another delivery to Korean waters

A LENGTHY journey to the Caribbean begins Thursday for Incat’s latest catamaran.

The Buccoo Reef is Incat’s latest large fast ferry, a 100m catamaran which is set to service Trinidad and Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Company.

Chief executive Tim Burnell said the catamaran would be in service on the island nation’s seabridge, providing a comfortable and reliable passenger and freight service between Port of Spain, Trinidad and Scarborough, Tobago.

Incat's newest catamaran Bucco Reef, which is travelling to Trinidad and Tobago.

“The largest high-speed ferry designed and built for Trinidad and Tobago, Buccoo Reef not only delivered enhanced sea keeping but also increased reliability, passenger comfort, capacity and economy with less operational down time due to adverse weather conditions,” he said.

“We take the approach of doing things right from the outset, good design, the highest quality materials and quality workmanship by an experienced team; a fact bourne out by Incat having the lowest warranty claims in the high-speed ferry industry.

“Incat has invested in extensive tank testing and studies using the latest computational fluid dynamics and hydrodynamic free-running model test techniques. The result is the new arrangement to Incat’s signature centre bow profile, ensuring Buccoo Reef is truly fit for purpose on year-round ferry operations on what is an exposed island route.”

The vessel is able to accommodate 995 passengers and crew and space for 239 cars on the main and mezzanine decks.

The interior of Incat's latest catamaran, Bucco Reef.

Bucco Reef was constructed in Hobart with mainly renewable green energy.

“Over 98 per cent of the energy consumed in the manufacture of Buccoo Reef was sourced from locally generated renewable energy sources and going forward, all future Incat vessels will be constructed entirely from renewable energy.

Incat chairman Robert Clifford said the journey to Trinidad and Tobago was a lengthy yet simple one.

“It’ll be going as far as Tahiti before it refuels, and that’s a convenience stop,” he said.

“Then it’ll be heading onto Panama with a little bit of extra fuel, and from there it’ll head to Trinidad and Tobago.

“It won’t go at maximum speed of course, it’ll go an economic 100 knots. It should take about 20-odd days to arrive.”

Mr Clifford said it was always good to see their hard work head off to their intended destination.

“They’re like children,” he said.

“But it’s one less boat to build. We’ve got a shortage of orders now.

“We’ve got enough work for the next nine months or so, but then we’ll be looking for orders.”

Follow @kaseywilkins95