SWACAT Technologies' award winning and time tested SWACAT 80 design provides an excellent platform for a myriad of revenue generating or research applications. With over 1850 square meters (6000 sq ft) of useable space and SWATH stability, the SWACAT 80 is a vessel that thinks it is a large cruise ship yet can still be nimbly piloted by a captain with a 100 ton license into a port with only 1.8 meters (6 ft) of water depth available.
THE SWACAT 80 - A SUCCESS STORY
SWACAT Technologies first SWACAT 80 design vessel which was delivered into service in 1994 for Nekton Diving Cruises has proven to be a success story for both SWACAT Technologies and Nekton.
When the Nekton Pilot was built, it was just the 32nd SWATH in the world and the only SWATH custom designed and engineered from the ground up specifically for scuba diving. While the SWACAT 80 design had been through extensive analysis and scaled model tank testing, the design was as yet unproven and the appropriately named Nekton Pilot was truly a full scale pilot prototype. Unfortunately, the original shipyard where the Nekton Pilot was built lacked experience with SWATH vessels which resulted in delivery delays.
However, time has proven the SWACAT 80 design to be a success. Just one year after being delivered, the Nekton Pilot was award the Popular Mechanics' 1995 Design and Engineering Award.
Nekton's commercial scuba charter business has been successful enough that Nekton is now teaming with SWACAT Technologies for the design, engineering, and construction of their second SWACAT 80 the Nekton Rorqual which will be only the 2nd SWATH type scuba live-aboard in the world when it is delivered into service this coming June.SWACAT Technologies teamed with Gulf County Shipbuilding to build the Nekton Rorqual. The Rorqual was recently delivered to Nekton Diving Cruises in Fort Lauderdale to operate as the cruise lines second SWATH live-aboard scuba dive boat. The picture below shows the Rorqual as it was being launched.
The SWACAT 80 is approximately 25 meters (80 feet) long and 12 meters (40 feet) wide. Propulsion is provided by two large 850 kilowatt diesel engines located down aft in the pontoons which isolate the payload areas from noise and vibration and provide for more space.
Through active ballasting, the
SWACAT 80's can operate either
as a SWATH or as a Catamaran. Ballast tanks in the pontoons can be flooded
with seawater and pumped out by huge pumps in very short notice. Ballasting up (catamaran mode) allows for shallow water harborage
1.8 meters (6 ft) and maximum speed. Ballasting down ( SWATH mode) provides
for maximum stability.
SWACAT holds a patent for the unique elevating dive platform on the back
of the SWACAT 80. The picture above shows Nekton's custom
implementation of the hydraulically elevating platform as a scuba dive
deck complete with air compressor lines, electrical power, remote
communications and powered davits for two tenders. With modifications,
SWACAT can adapt elevating platform to a number of other applications such
as cable laying, underwater acoustics and surveying.