Atlantic III is instantly recognizable as an Incat wave piercing catamaran from its unique combination of forward protruding catamaran demi hulls (wave piercing hulls) and the above the waterline centre bow.

 

Designed with fine bows, smooth hull lines and no underwater appendages, Atlantic III’s wave piercing hulls are optimized for minimal resistance and maximum efficiency.  In part, this explains Atlantic III’s very low fuel consumption at any given speed and deadweight compared to other high speed catamarans, monohulls and trimarans.

 

In respect to seakeeping, Atlantic III’s wave piercing hulls are designed with relatively low forward buoyancy to ensure that as the vessel encounters waves, it will tend to cut through, rather than ride over the waves, thus ensuring much higher levels of onboard comfort and safety.

 

If Atlantic III encounters heavier seas conditions, the centre bow is designed to facilitate clean entry into waves and to push water towards the demi hulls.  The centre bow serves as a shock absorber for the oncoming seas and when the vessel pitches into waves, the buoyancy force provided by the immersion of the centre bow acts as a huge damping system to reduce vertical accelerations, thus ensuring a much smoother ride.

 

Compared with conventional catamarans, wave piercing catamarans are well proven in operational service around the world to offer far superior seakeeping in head seas, greatly reduced slamming tendencies and better structural integrity.  The centre bow also provides significant reserve forward buoyancy as a safety mechanism to prevent bow diving in following and stern quartering seas.  In these heavy sea conditions, conventional catamarans are known to have suffered catastrophic damage, while monohulls and trimarans have significant directional stability challenges and high roll angles.

 

Atlantic III remains in commercial year round operation on the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay and it can be readily observed on AIS at service speeds of 33-35 knots in normal service.  At 35 knots the fuel consumption of Atlantic III averages a highly economical 74 kg per nautical mile.

 

The vessel can be inspected by prior appointment.