"Data to be collected and analyzed in- cludes engine torque, fuel flow and rpm; propellar thrust; g-forces; trim in roll and fore and aft; and other parameters. Detailed sea state and wake measurements will also be made. An additional test program will involve beaching trials. It is possible to trim a SeaCoaster hull so that its bow is at the waterline with its blowers on. The fact that vessels are beachable is very valuable for a variety of military programs".
        The 31m vessel will be powered by four Caterpillar C32 diesels rated at 1,058 kW powering ZF Trimax surface piercing drives via ZF gearboxes. The air cushion within each hull is generated by fans driven by two Cat 3126E diesels rated at 335kW.
  Air Ride Craft predicts speeds of 56 knots at a lightship displacement of 88.4 tonnes (with the blower engines operating at 36% mcr), 50 knots at displacement of 114 tonnes (with the blower engines operating at 58% mcr), and 43 knots at a full load dis- placement of 139 tonnes (with the blower engines operating at 84% mcr).

  After the SeaCoaster is converted to a passenger ferry, the vessel will be owned by American Marine Holdings, a builder

based in Sarasota, Florida. AMI, the licensed programme manager, will be conducting ferry and offshore crewboat