INCAT 050 is set to become the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s newest and fastest vessel. New in 1998, it has had an interesting past (see below) and Andreas School Year 2 with their teacher Mr Nelson decided that they would use ICT to look at the vessel in more detail.

This included creating a new interior (and exterior) using Google Sketchup, and making a podcast to go with their 2008 ‘Radio Skeet’ contribution - interviewing members of the crew via satellite phone link direct from the Suez Canal where the ship was today.

They began by removing the ‘roof’ from a 3-D drawing or the INCAT 050 provided for them and then set about creating closed ‘spaces’ for everything from a ‘cinema’ to toilets. They then used the component library to add seating, doors, windows and people to the cabin, and vehicles to the outside deck. Many added a ‘swimming pool’ to the bow of the vessel - maybe a bit optimistinc given the prevailing weather in the Irish Sea..

During a break from all this, they decamped to Mrs Udy’s office, and with the help of Mr Nelson phoned the ship direct via satellite phone, and spoke to the captain, and Second Officer Yoko Cruz about the marathon trip from Hobart to Portsmouth England where the boat is to be refitted.

Later, this was mixed with other recordings to make a 5-minute ‘Radio Skeet’ contribution - complete with music and jingles, though you will have to wait until this is broadcast on Manx Radio in a couple of weeks to hear it in full.

Meanwhile, part of the full interview with Yoko can be heard by clicking HERE.

The purchase of the Incat 050 catamaran was finalised recently and she will replace Viking, primarily serving the Liverpool-Isle of Man route.

The first leg of her voyage will see her sail 1,794 nautical miles from Hobart, Tasmania, to Fremantle on Australia’s West Coast, where she is expected to dock on Monday afternoon, June 23.

Her journey will then take her from Fremantle to Colombo, Sri Lanka (3,413 miles) and on to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia (2,773 miles), where she is scheduled to arrive on July 5. The next leg will be from Jeddah to Port Said on the Suez Canal (768 miles), and from there to Valetta, Malta (960 miles).

The final stage will see her leave Valetta for Portsmouth (2,160 miles), where she is scheduled to arrive between July 13 and July 15.

In Portsmouth the vessel will go to the FSL Naval Dock Yard for a substantial refit, ahead of entering service in 2009.

A team from Isle of Man Steam Packet Company flew out to Hobart earlier this week to prepare for Incat 050’s 11,868-mile voyage.

Chief Executive Mark Woodward will be joining Incat 050 in Colombo and staying with her until Malta. He explained: “Planning the voyage to Portsmouth has been a major logistical exercise. The team involved has worked tirelessly to ensure as smooth a journey as possible.

“It’s an exciting acquisition for us and everyone at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is looking forward to seeing Incat 050 when she finally arrives in Manx waters in our new livery.”

Incat 050 was built in Tasmania in 1998 and served three years as a passenger and vehicle carrier in Australia and New Zealand, before being chartered to the US Military.

The 96-metre wave-piercing catamaran will be the largest vessel of its type in the Irish Sea, significantly enhancing the service the Company can offer due to its faster cruising speed, greater vehicle and passenger capacity, freight back-up capacity and increased levels of passenger comfort.

RECEPTION also came on the bus to look again at ‘SPLOSH’  - sadly a power failure meant that they’ll have to have another go back in school to complete their pictures - never mind!!!