Ferries

Navatek has conducted extensive research on both high-flying and low-flying hydrofoil concepts. In 1997, Pacific Marine acquired intellectual property rights to the Westamarin hydrofoil technology together with the program’s prototype demonstration craft, the hybrid low-flying hydrofoil/catamaran Foilcat. Navatek subsequently invested $2 million in modifications and improvements to the prototype before leasing the vessel to the State of Hawaii for a commuter ferry demonstration on Oahu, Hawaii. It is currently being used as an R&D platform supporting the company’s ongoing research into high-speed hybrid hull forms and associated advanced ride control systems.

Navatek’s research on Foilcat and other hydrofoil concepts resulted in the development of an inexpensive, high-speed, low-wake, partial hydrofoil design called WAVERIDER^®. WAVERIDER features a deep-vee hull form with a single, titanium “Pi” foil forward and an interceptor ride control system aft. The WAVERIDER prototype was launched in late 2002, demonstrating a superior ride in seas through sea state 4 (6-8 feet). The measured wake wash of WAVERIDER was significantly better than the Washington State Ferry standard as measured in wave energy density (joules/meter), making WAVERIDER the clear choice for any fast ferry route constrained by wake wash restrictions. The 85-foot, 44-knot, 149-passenger vessel is currently leased in commercial ferry service.