Wärtsilä’s propulsion control system for manoeuvring the vessel gives effective, reliable control of all the waterjets and is very easy to use. It is designed in accordance with IMO (International Maritime Organisation) regulations and fulfils the requirements of all leading classification societies. The system controls and indicates the steering angle, bucket position and impeller speed, and can be operated alternatively with joystick control or autopilot. The system’s built-in redundancy makes it safe and robust.
According to Incat, the ‘Francisco’ is now the fastest ship in the world. While there are speed boats that can surpass 58 knots, there is no vessel afloat that can reach these speeds and that is able to carry 1,000 passengers and 150 cars. The ferry will have an operating speed of 50 knots, and in crossing the River Plate (Rio de la Plata) between Uruguay and Argentina at high speed, the ferry will be able to viably compete with air traffic between the two countries.