Saturday, March 8, 2008

'Alakai' awarded Engineering Project of the Year

Austal has been awarded the Engineering Project of the Year for its high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry 'Alakai' at the Mobile Area Council of Engineers annual awards banquet.

Austal designed and built Hawaii Superferry's 'Alakai', which currently operates inter-island routes in the Hawaiian Islands. 'Alakai' is a 107-metre high-speed passenger/vehicle ferry and is the largest aluminium vessel ever built in the United States. The ferry holds up to 866 passengers and 282 cars, or a combination of cars and large trucks, and can travel at speeds of up to 40 knots. 'Alakai' was delivered to Hawaii Superferry in May 2007. The project was nominated by a member of MACE because of its superiority in engineering technology as well as the impact it has made on the Mobile area community. As a result of the contract, Austal hired hundreds of local shipbuilders and support staff who are currently building 'Alakai's' sister ship, the second of a two-boat contract with Hawaii Superferry. The 'Alakai' was also the location of Austal's Charity Cruise fundraising event held last spring, which ultimately raised $150,000 for the Mobile Ronald McDonald House organization.
Read More

No comments: