Alaska Yard Launches Multi-Functional Ferry

Alaska Yard Launches Multi-Functional Ferry

Alaska Ship & Drydock, Ketchikan, Alaska, has launched what could well be the world's most unusual ferry. For a start, the Susitna is being funded by the Office of Naval Research Sea Warfare and Weapons Department. To be operated on Cook Inlet services by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which will own it, Susitna will have three distinct modes of operation: a catamaran mode for high speeds; a small-water-area-twin-hull (SWATH) mode for stability in high sea states; and a shallow-draft landing-craft mode that provides substantial buoyancy for maneuvering in shallow water. In addition, the Susitna will be the world's first ice-breaking twin-hulled vessel. The ship is designed with a center "barge" that can be hydraulically raised and lowered, while the buoyancy of its catamaran hulls can be adjusted while under way. ONR also is interested in the vessel's transformational hull form as a technology demonstrator to support Navy sea basing and expeditionary warfare concepts.

The Sustina has a length of 59m with capacity for 100 passengers and 20 vehicles. Four MTU diesels provide a speed of 20 knots. It is expected to enter service this fall.