60’ Bahamian Catamaran

Dolphin Encounters, Limited has taken delivery of a catamaran passenger vessel designed by DeJong & Lebet, Inc., and built by Freeport Shipbuilding II, Inc.  This all-aluminum, two-deck vessel will carry vacationers from Nassau to Blue Lagoon Island for the chance to swim with the dolphins or interact with dolphins in the Close Encounters pool.  The 60’x20’ vessel is powered by a pair of CAT 3406E engines rated at 535 HP each.  During sea trials, the vessel obtained speeds of 27 mph, which was 15% more than the design speed.

Principal characteristics are as follows:

LOA:                                                                60’-3”

Beam:                                                               20’-6”

Depth:                                                                 7’-0”

Draft (Full Load):                                               2’-6”

Fuel Oil Capacity:                                            500 gallons

Water Capacity:                                                100 gallons

Passenger Capacity:                                          180 persons

Major equipment includes gears by ZF, steering by Hynautic.