Incat Crowther launches ‘silent drive’ eco tour vessel

Incat Crowther has launched Spirit of the Wild for Gordon River Cruises – which it claims is the first tour vessel in Australia to operate in World Heritage-listed wilderness with silent drive. 

Built by Richardson Devine Marine, Spirit of the Wild is fitted with a pair of MTU 10V2000M72 main engines. Added to this is a hybrid electric system, consisting of a pair of ABB e-motors, driving Hybrid-ready ZF gearboxes. Incat Crowther said that particular attention was given to the mounting of the engines and gears to reduce the transmission of vibration and noise. The main engines’ modest rating is tailored to the local manning requirements. In open water, the vessel will use ‘boost’ mode from the hybrid system, which matches motor speed to engine speed to add electric power. In this mode, the vessel operates at 25 knots. 

When the tour comes to the World Heritage-listed Gordon River, silent drive mode is engaged. In this mode, the main engines are shut down and the vessel runs on electric power. 

Engine ventilation systems and the engine room were addressed with a fully-engineered acoustic insulation system. Attention was paid to fittings and door openings, with seals and bushes used extensively to stop rattles and gaps. Incat Crowther said “In silent drive mode, the experience is eerily quiet, with seats returning sound level readings as low as 45dbA.”

Incat Crowther has developed a vessel that utilised triangular side structure to enlarge openings and minimise obstructed viewing locations. 

It said “The vessel layout is designed around optimal viewing. Every seat on the vessel was considered in the design to provide exceptional vistas.”