AIMEX -

“SAWQRAH”– THE FIRST OF OMAN’S “SOUTH” HIGH SPEED FERRIES  

31 August 2010

Having previously designed the interiors for the two other vessels for the same fleet (Austal Auto Express 65 vessels Shinas and Hormuz), Spear Green Design (SGD) designed and documented all interiors for the three “South” ferries for the southern regions of Oman, built by Rodriquez, Messina, Italy.

SGD was brought in early and worked closely with both the client and the yard, which enabled significant marine interiors developments to be accomplished, which have certainly increased amenity and functionality of the fleet of three vessels.

There are three passenger areas on the vessels – First Class in front and two tourist class saloon spaces behind, separated by fire doors and a service area consisting of a centrally located heads and kiosk arrangement. All areas of the vessels, including the heads / bathrooms incorporate standards compliant access and facilities for people with disabilities. The aft passenger section faces the kiosk and the central section is intended to be a quieter passenger space. HSLC Code compliance and strict attention to weight of all materials was paramount to the design of all vessels in the fleet. SGD have achieved significant weight savings through the careful specification of composite aluminium and other lightweight materials, finishes and components throughout the fitout.

Seating in all cabins is by Beurteaux – with Ocean Club seats in the First Class cabin and Contour seats in the Economy sections. There are electrically operated window treatments to combat the high UV and temperatures encountered in the region in order to reduce glare and heat load in the vessel, to improve passenger comfort. Custom furniture was designed for the four First Class overnight cabins and other areas of the vessel, including crew cabins and mess as well as the medical centre, located on the main deck. Dampa Deckheads were specified and detailed. Deck coverings suppliers specified include Altro Transflor and Amtico. Seating upholstery is by Instyle and Macquarie Textiles. Water filtration systems and fountains are by Zip. All three of these vessels are identical in layout and fabrication whilst having an individual and distinctively different theme, in order to create a point of difference for passengers and crew alike, whilst maintaining elements of consistency across the entire Oman National Ferries fleet of fast ferries. Important aspects including ergonomics and other human factors elements were all specified by experienced specialists to contribute to successful vessel fitout.

SGD provided an entire design, modeling, documentation and equipment specification package for all interior spaces including crew cabins, galley, heads, kiosk, first class and public cabin areas. The detailed marine interiors documentation and on site project management by AMD ensured the high quality finish of the vessels was achieved. The detailed documentation package enabled the fitout to be achieved faithfully, as per designer’s intent and to suit the owner’s requirements and preferences.

Highest quality materials and equipment have been specified – much of it similar to that as used in the Northern Oman based vessels, built by Austal, in order to minimise spares required to be carried in the region and to enable simplified maintenance across the whole fleet which have Spear Green Design interiors, which also includes the two AMD 52m WPC Rescue vessels previously delivered, this totaling an eventual fleet of seven vessels sharing many consistent components and product lines.

Spear Green Design were recent recipients of an Export Award from AIMEX – the  Australian Marine Industry Export organisation and have again shown that distance is no barrier to achieving high quality, effective, functional marine interiors for passenger vessels worldwide.    

Please visit Spear Green Design at www.speargreen.com.au and email queries to info@speargreen.com.au