Philip Hercus founder, Incat Crowther

摘要

Australia-based vessel designer Incat Crowther recently celebrated the launch of the 500th vessel it has designed, the milestone being a poignant one given that Philip Hercus, founder of Incat Designs and one of the forefathers of Incat Crowther - and indeed the marine design industry in Australia - had passed away. Mr Hercus's contribution to the industry was immense. In the 1980s, he pioneered the introduction of aluminium catamaran passenger vessels in tourist areas such as the Great Barrier Reef before developing wave piercing catamaran concepts. In 1990, one of these vessels won the Hales Trophy for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean for a commercial vessel. Mr Hercus was awarded the Order of Australia in 1995 for his services to the industry. As regular readers of OSJ will know, Incat Crowther went on to design many offshore vessels.