Three new 25-metre cruise tenders designed by leading digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther are now in operation in the Caribbean for Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL). Stationed at NCL’s base at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, the tenders are designed to efficiently transport 354 passengers in comfort and safety from NCL’s cruise ships to NCL’s private island resort.
Accessibility is a key design feature of each vessel with two wheelchair-accessible spaces on the main deck, as well as three toilets, one of which is wheelchair accessible. The vessels, built by Singapore’s Penguin Shipyard International, also include a wheelchair lift to provide access to the upper deck. The upper deck of each vessel seats 188 people and offers covered outdoor seating for guests. The main deck seats 164 passengers in air-conditioned comfort.
The design of each vessel has optimised disembarkation and boarding via bespoke main deck bow ramps that interface with the existing tender docks at NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay resort. While disembarkation and boarding are also possible from two access points on the upper deck. The vessels also feature elements of Incat Crowther’s trademark catamaran design expertise including deep hulls for maximum comfort.
Incat Crowther’s Managing Director for Europe, Ed Dudson, said the project was the latest in a long line of tailored design projects for clients around the world.
“This project required Incat Crowther to work closely with Norwegian Cruise Lines to ensure the tenders were designed specifically for pre-existing infrastructure,” said Mr Dudson.
“Our digital shipbuilding process helped to ensure these tenders were operationally efficient, as well as providing guests with the luxury experience you would expect while on a Caribbean holiday with Norwegian Cruise Lines. The project also proves that our world-leading catamaran hull designs can be applied across multiple sectors and in almost any environment – from the open ocean to tourist transportation routes such as this one in the Bahamas,” said Mr Dudson.