'Cahaya Baru': RDM launches a catamaran ferry for services in the Cocos Islands group

摘要

The 'Cahaya Baru' is a new catamaran ferry destined for service in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. 'Cahaya Baru' was built by Richardson Devine Marine Constructions (RDM) and recently launched from their Hobart shipyard. 'Cahaya Baru' means "new life" in Malay, a sentiment that exactly matches what this vessel is hoped to bring to the aged Cocos (Keeling) Islands ferry service. The Cocos ferry is a main lifeline for the islands, ferrying passengers between Home Island, West Island and Direction Island on a regular timetable. The existing ferry, which has been in service for almost 28 years, crosses the lagoon at a modest 11 knots.