Launched in August 2004, this 19.4m aluminium catamaran ‘Tasman Venture’ was built for Lloyd and Robin Burgess of Hervey Bay. The vessel operates during the whale watching season as a day boat and during the off season as offshore fishing and diving charter for passengers on 3 day cruises.
Certified USL 1B.1D the ‘Tasman Venture’ is liscensed to carry a crew of four to assist a maximum passenger capacity of 120 people. The USL 1B(200 nautical miles offshore) classification allows 25 passengers to be accommodated for overnight passages.
With a top speed of 28 knots, she carries 8000 litres of fuel and has and operational range of 1350 nautical miles. During sea trials each engine consumed around 84 litres of fuel per hour at 25 knots.
Tasman Venture is powered by a pair of 700hp Caterpillar 3406E diesel engines coupled to Twin Disc onMDG5114A gearboxes. The conventional shaft and 5 bladed propellers were manufactured and supplied by local Queensland Company ‘Rogers and Lough’. Two Zenith 30kva engines provide the auxiliary power.