Specialised 4818-HTC Passenger Catamaran Enters Service
BRIX Marine has handed over It’s About Time, a 48 m high-speed offshore passenger catamaran from its PaxCat series, to FunToSee Island Ferry of Castries, St. Lucia. The vessel is the second PaxCat unit the yard has delivered to the operator, reinforcing a long-term build partnership.
Designed for demanding inter-island routes, the 4818-HTC model combines robust aluminium construction with optimised hull geometry for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. The configuration accommodates up to 480 passengers across three climate-controlled decks, with dedicated crew spaces and advanced navigation suites.
- Length overall: 48 m
- Beam: 11.2 m
- Draft: 1.8 m
- Service speed: 28 knots
- Range: 350 nautical miles
- Classification: DNV HSLC
The vessel is equipped with twin MTU 16V4000 M65L engines, each rated at 2 560 kW, driving HamiltonJet waterjets for precise manoeuvrability in congested harbours. Redundant power systems and fire-suppression measures meet SOLAS requirements for high-capacity passenger operations.
FunToSee Island Ferry will deploy the catamaran on its flagship Castries–Soufrière route, reducing crossing times by 25 % compared with conventional monohulls. The operator cited the PaxCat’s stability and low wash profile as key factors in improving schedule reliability and environmental compliance.