Restoring the HSC Alakai Between Maine and Nova Scotia

a fast, dependable ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine

Expertise, ,
Industry

Nova Scotia sought to reinstate a fast, dependable ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine. A previous ferry service had existed but was discontinued, leaving a gap in cross-border transportation.

Challenge

Bay Ferries identified a high-speed vessel capable of meeting the region’s needs: the HSC Alakai, now known as “The CAT,” a vessel originally constructed in 2007 by Austal USA for the Hawaii Superferry. 

The Alakai was an ideal candidate for the service with its high-speed capabilities, 35-knot cruising speed, 3.5-hour crossing time, and capacity for 866 passengers and 282 cars. However, the vessel had been out of operation for nearly a decade, requiring significant assessments and modifications to meet modern safety and regulatory requirements before returning to service.

Allswater worked closely with the client to navigate USCG requirements for a high-speed passenger vessel that had been laid up after its last service. The primary objective was to ensure that the vessel met all safety and stability regulations. 

Solution

  • Regulatory Approval from USCG and DNV: Worked closely with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to ensure the vessel met all safety requirements, including a distinct approval process for determining stability compliance with USCG. 
  • Working Around Missing Vessel Data: A new vessel model had to be designed and developed using the various construction drawings and details available for the vessel. This process involved meticulously analyzing the existing blueprints and technical specifications to ensure accuracy and fidelity in the new stability model.  
  • Lightship Survey: A Survey was conducted onboard the vessel to determine the vessel weight and centre of gravity (excluding VCG). 
  • New Intact and Damage Stability Documentation: With a reconstructed stability model, Allswater developed, with close collaboration from DNV and USCG, an innovative approach to ensuring the vessel met all damage and intact stability requirements, while also meeting the requirements for a reworked center of Gravity.   
     

Results

The CAT successfully resumed full service sailings from Yarmouth to Maine on May 19, 2022. Allswater’s adeptness at navigating regulatory complexities, crafting innovative and practical solutions, and implementing rigorous testing methodologies facilitated the Alakai’s return to passenger service. This case underscores Allswater’s expertise in addressing complex marine challenges and its collaborative efforts with regulatory bodies to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant vessel operations. The Alakai’s revival is a testament to Allswater’s ingenuity and commitment to marine excellence.