|
||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|
12 May 2005 RODRIQUEZ CANTIERI
NAVALI LAUNCHES "SOFTLY" THE CATAMARAN “MARIA SOLE
LAURO” Catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” built for the account of Lauro Shipping has been launched today at the Rodriquez Shipyards in Pietra Ligure (Genoa). The Shipowner, Senator Salvatore Lauro, his daughter Maria Sole as ship godmother, the yard's newly-appointed Managing Director Mr. Marco Ragazzini and the yard' staff were attending. The launch of catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” was successfully accomplished. For the first time ever, a so-called “retained launch” technique was employed whereby the ship placed on the slip and held by ropes was caused to slowly slide to sea. Catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” is the second ship contracted to the Rodriquez Shipyards (the first vessel started operating in December 2004) to replace the old Kolkida boats. This catamaran will be delivered by the end of May and next Summer will be linking Naples to the Aeolian Islands. In Wintertime it will link the islands within the Gulf of Naples to Naples or Salerno. Catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro”, City Cat 40 model, fully built at the Rodriquez Shipyards in Pietra Ligure according to the outstanding Italian shipbuilding tradition, is a true high tech breakthrough. City Cat 40 has got a great success worldwide thanks to its reliability and stability. By way of example, this version is used by the Rio de Janeiro Town to serve its large bay. The catamaran is equipped with gyro-fins designed to bear rough sea easily. Propulsion is by two top-reliable Caterpillar 3561 B engines, each featuring 2000 KW. Catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” is, therefore, a ship equipped with plants and systems of latest design and advanced equipment for a safe navigation. It can accommodate up to 320 passengers at a cruising speed of 32 knots. This new addition will increase the Lauro Fleet that – along with Volaviamare – is leading the fast speed connection to the minor Italian islands. Catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” is the second of two ships ordered by the Neapolitan Shipowner to the Rodriquez Shipyards – after the “Maria Celeste Lauro” that was delivered in December 2004 and currently used in the Fiumicino – Ponza route. In December 2005 Rodriquez Shipyards will deliver Alilauro a third boat, a 42 metre TMV monohull, Aquastrada class, that will be called Agostino Lauro. The new Managing Director at Rodriguez Cantieri Navali, Mr. Marco Ragazzini, said: “We are proud of having entered into such a three-boat contract with Lauro Shipping. To meet the requirements of a constantly-growing market, catamaran “Maria Sole Lauro” is a fastspeed ship built according to the highest international quality standards being complied with by Rodriquez since ever. It is a fast, safe, capacious, competitive vessel resulting from our recognized ongoing technological research”. Senator Salvatore Lauro said: “Once again the Lauro Shipping Group stakes on high speed by renewing and increasing its fleet in order to accommodate the need for new services and links by the island communities and tour operators. In this manner we are willing to improve – both in quantity and quality – our contribution to the island economy and tourist development”. Senator Lauro then added: “Lauro Shipping does not limit itself to strengthen the high speed concept. It also tends to achieve a premiership & partnership role in both the medium distance navigation and the so-called Sea Autoroute system. It will turn back to operate in the Ferry Boat sector. That's why in a short time we'll launch new lines to link the Latial coasts to other Mediterranean countries. In addition, we are proud that our Company is still a family-owned business as the Lauro family holds 100% shares.” The CityCat 40 model was designed in order to achieve a high comfort level for a great number of passengers (320): the guest halls have been so subdivided and conceived as to maximise liveability and to make the journey more enjoyable. The bottom shapes – especially the fore inlets – have been designed to minimize the seakeeping effects and eliminate as much as possible the vertical acceleration levels thus improving the passengers' comfort. The ship's propulsion system, designed to attain a cruising speed of 32 knots, consists of hidrojets with steering and backing capabilities, connected via a reducing gear to two Caterpillar 3561 B diesel engines, each featuring 2000 KW. In addition, the catamaran is equipped with a gyro-fin capable to minimize rolling and pitching depending on sea state. This plant, consisting of two fore T FOILs and two “INTRUDERS” for trim adjustment - installed on the transom. The hull is subdivided into several tight compartments in compliance with the HSC code provisions for this class of vessels. The passengers' halls have wide windows for a pleasant natural illumination. All inlets are designed to ease the disabled people embarkation. The two passengers' decks are interconnected by wide ladders and fitted with emergency exits. They are furnished with airplane-style chairs, luggage compartments arranged on the ceiling along the ship' sides, and luggage rooms. The catamaran has five sanitary spaces, one of which for disabled people.
|
