In December 2005, the Shipyard of Special Facilitie Ltd signed a contract with the American company Grand Circle River Cruise Line from Boston for the construction of three cruise ships intended for Mediterranean voyages.
Currently, all three ships operate on the Split-Athens route as part of the tourist program "Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian and Greek Coast." These programs are designed for groups of up to 25 people, even though 27 cabins can accommodate a total of 52 passengers. With a crew of 21 members, this offering further emphasizes the exclusivity of such cruises.
Passenger ship 'Arethusa' (2008)
Luxury cruise ship is designed to carry 52 passengers for cruise in navigation area 2 and is built according to the Rules of Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS) for passenger ships.
Hull and larger part of superstructure are built from steel (grade A), welded construction. Uppermost superstructure, including wheelhouse and funnel, are built from aluminium alloy, welded construction too.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:
- Length, over all 58,80 m
- Breadth 10,68 m
- Depth 4,50 m
- Draught 3,00 m
- Gross tonnage 1206 GT
Accommodation:
- Passengers 52
- Crew 21
Two four-stroke diesel engines, electrically started, 2 x 821 kW, driving 2 propellers through reversible reduction gears, enable service speed of 12,5 knots. Propulsion plant is remotely controlled from wheelhouse control console.
Passenger ship 'Athena' (2007)
Electrical power is provided from 3 diesel generators (2 of them are in action in parallel mode and 1 of them is for spare) 3 x 380 V, 50 Hz, 315 kVA (each) and 1 emergency diesel generator 3 x 380 V, 50 Hz, 170 kVA. Also electrical power is provided from batteries 24 V DC.
Transitional power source (TPS) set-15 kVA with own batteries set is also installed.
GMDSS radio equipment includes all necessary for A3 area. Navigation system consists of: 2 X-band radars, ECDIS, GPS, gyro compass, magnetic compass, FU and NFU steering controls, autopilot, echo sounder, speed log, Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), navtex and SSAS.
Passenger ship 'Artemis' (2008)
Wheelhouse, passenger and crew accommodations are air-conditioned. Highclass passenger accommodations include 24 two-bed cabins (18 of them with balcony) for 48 passengers, as well as 4 one-bed cabins for 4 passengers. Passenger service areas include dining room and lounge with bar, external bar, gym and aft water entry platform. Crew areas include 1 captain cabin and 1 chief engineer cabin, 2 one-bed cabins, 4 two-bed cabins and 3 three-bed cabins are provided for crew.