Red Jet 2

Red Jet 2 approaching Town Quay from Cowes
History
United Kingdom
Name
  • Red Jet 2 1991–2009
  • CM Jet 2 2009–2021
  • SA Jet 2 2018–present
[1]
Operator
  • Red Funnel 1991–2009
  • Caspian Mainport 2009–present
BuilderFB Marine
Yard number1290
Christened6 June 1991
In service28 June 1991[2]
IdentificationIMO number: 9001681
Statusin service
General characteristics
TypeHigh speed ferry
Tonnage168 GT
Length32.5 m (106 ft 8 in)
Beam8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
Draught1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)
Installed power2 x MTU 12V 396 Series TE 84
Propulsion2 MJP waterjets
Speed38 knots (70 km/h; 44 mph)
Capacity138
CrewMax 6

Red Jet 2 was a high speed catamaran passenger ferry operated by Red Funnel between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. She was built by FB Marine in 1991.[3] She is identical to her sister ship, Red Jet 1.

Specification

Red Jet 2 is 32.5 m (106.6 ft) long, with a beam of 8.32 m (27.3 ft). Powered by 2 MTU 1,360 kW (1,820 hp) 12V 396 Series TE 84 diesel engines, each driving a Marine Jet Power waterjet, she could complete the crossing between the two terminals in 22 minutes, cruising at 32.5 kn (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph).[3] Originally designed to carry 120 passengers, this was increased to 130 in 1993 and to 138 in 1998.[2][3]

History

She was christened by Lady Mottistone on 6 June 1991, subsequently entering service on 28 June. Her introduction was speeded up in order to compete with the rival Cowes Express service. Her arrival led to the withdrawal of the hydrofoil ferry Shearwater 4.[2][3]

In 2009, she was withdrawn from service and, along with her sister craft, Red Jet 1, sold to Caspian Mainport for service in the Caspian Sea. The two craft left Southampton on the La Rochelle bound for Saint Petersburg on 14 May.[4] She was renamed CM Jet 2 and used on Caspian's ferry routes. in 2021 she was repurposed for use as a tender and renamed SA Jet 2.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "SA JET2". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Adams, Keith (2010). Red Funnel 150 Celebrating One Hundred and Fifty Years of The Original Isle of Wight Ferries. Richard Danielson. p. 68. ISBN 9780951315552.
  3. ^ a b c d "Passenger Vessel Archive 1981-2010". Red Funnel. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Red Funnel says farewell to Red Jets 1 & 2". Red Funnel. Retrieved 28 August 2022.