NLIS 5
May 19, 2000
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Marine Atlantic ready for 2000 season

The public will get its first chance to have a look at HSC Max Mols this weekend in St. John�s. The fast ferry, chartered by Marine Atlantic to meet the demands of this summer�s peak season, has arrived in Newfoundland to prepare for service on the Port aux Basques to North Sydney run. The Max Mols will be open for public viewing on Saturday, May 20 from noon until 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 21 from noon until 8 p.m. Scheduled to begin service in June, the vessel will only be in St. John�s harbour until Monday morning.

The Max Mols can accommodate 780 passengers and up to 200 cars and travels at speeds up to 43 knots, allowing passengers to cross the gulf in half the time. Marine Atlantic�s chairman, Captain Sid Hynes, said passengers will have a very pleasant experience. "The vessel is ultra-modern and designed for maximum passenger comfort. Seating is air-craft style and passenger areas are air conditioned."

In the fall of 1999, during the Gulf Ferry Forum, people throughout the province expressed their concerns with Marine Atlantic. Tourism associations, the trucking industry, exporters and the general public demanded that Marine Atlantic increase capacity and improve the service levels on the Gulf run. Hynes says the company is responding to the needs of stakeholder groups and the travelling public.

"With the Max Mols joining the fleet, Marine Atlantic is ready for the 2000 season. This year will see improved service for our customers, with a passenger capacity increase of 50 per cent and a vehicle capability increase of 30 per cent which more than meets the needs of the peak period.." Hynes added that during the June 23 to September 16 period, there will be more choice of sailings for passengers "with 28 crossings per week, an increase of 87 per cent over last year's 15 scheduled crossings per week."

The Max Mols has been time chartered by Marine Atlantic for an interim period until the newly acquired Stena Challenger is delivered for permanent service. The vessel will be prepared for service over the next few weeks and additional public viewings will be held in North Sydney and Port aux Basques on dates to be announced.

Media contact: Jim Wellman, (709) 895-6924.

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The HSC Max Mols is a 91 metre wave-piercing high speed craft (HSC) with a twin (catamaran) hull, built by Incat Tasmania Ltd. and classified with Det Norske Veritas classification society as a high speed light craft (HSLC). The ferry has been time chartered by Marine Atlantic and is scheduled to begin service on 23 June 2000 on the Port aux Basques to North Sydney run.

The ferry is certified to carry a maximum of 780 passengers and up to 200 cars. Vehicle access is by shore-based stern ramps to port and starboard stern doors. Passenger access is by shore-based gangways, and there is access for persons with disabilities. The Max Mols has a service speed of 39 knots, with hydraulically controlled trim tabs adjusted according to sea state to maximize passenger comfort.

The ferry has evacuation stations for the full complement of passengers and crew. Life rafts, MES, together with sprinkler/drencher system, and emergency power system. All emergency systems meet the standards of the international Safety of Life approved at the Sea (SOLAS) Convention 1990, as well as Transport Canada regulations. The ferry is fitted with modern navigation and communication equipment from an aircraft-style bridge control position.

The fully air-conditioned passenger seating accommodation is supported above the vehicle deck on anti-vibration mounts. Seating is aircraft-style with arm rests and lifejacket stowage underneath. The main passenger areas are all on one deck and include a gift kiosk/shop, bar, washrooms and a baby change room. A public address and entertainment system is also provided.

Length Overall (LOA)                                            91.3 metres
Beam                                                                    26.0 metres
Beam of Hulls                                                        4.33 metres
Draft                                                                     3.70 metres
Deadweight (dwt)                                                  450 tonnes (minimum)
Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT)                           5,617 tonnes
Net Registered Tonnage (NRT)                              2,311 tonnes
IMO Number                                                         9176058
Built                                                                      1998 by Incat Tasmania Pty. Ltd.

Main Engines                                                         Four Ruston 20RK270M marine diesels,
                                                                             each 7080 kW at MCR.

Directional Control System                                      Four Lips 145/3 DL water jet propulsion 
                                                                              units, two in each hull, configured for 
                                                                              steering and reversing. Jet directional and 
                                                                              thrust control from the central helm  
                                                                              position and each wing station.

Speed                                                                     43 knots in up to Beaufort 4

Auxiliary Engines                                                    Four Caterpillar 3506�s.

Auxiliary Systems                                                   Three hydraulic power packs, one 
                                                                              forward (driven by two electric pumps)  
                                                                              and two aft (power take-offs). One  
                                                                              electric bilge pump in each void space.

The gulf ferry service is vital to the growing tourism industry of Newfoundland and Labrador. Marine Atlantic strives to do the very best for all customers in meeting its constitutional obligation and mandated responsibilities. The company provides a safe, quality ferry operation that gives timely and efficient service year round. The fast ferry, Max Mols, has been time chartered by Marine Atlantic for an interim period until the newly acquired Stena Challenger is delivered. The charter of the Max Mols is an opportunity to examine new ferry technology and service.

The Max Mols will join both the Caribou and the Smallwood in providing greater passenger comfort and better service to commercial interests. The MV Atlantic Freighter will continue to provide drop trailer service for commercial customers. The trucking industry, important year-round customers, will have priority on the superferries during selected night sailings. The Argentia ferry service will also be maintained with MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood dedicated to the service for six days a week starting June 23.

With the additional capacity, this summer�s Marine Atlantic scheduled gulf crossings increase by 87 per cent - from 15 to 28 scheduled crossings weekly - providing more choice of sailings for passengers during peak summer periods. Passenger capacity increases by 50 per cent to over 28,000 passengers every week, giving more than enough capability for forecasted growth in passenger and commercial vehicles.

Safe operations, quality service and efficiency are priorities at Marine Atlantic. Following recommendations in the Gulf Ferry Forum Report, On Deck and Below, Marine Atlantic has added significant human and financial resources with a results-orientated action plan. Issues raised within the report have been addressed, including reservations, quality of service and scheduling.

Marine Atlantic is a federal Crown corporation that operates a constitutionally mandated ferry service between the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and mainland Canada. This service is maintained according to an operating agreement with Transport Canada. For more general information about Marine Atlantic, vessels, schedules and more see: www.marine-atlantic.ca.

2000 05 19                                             11:50 a.m.