470 February 2008

Weesam Express From Sibu to Cebu

The Weesam Express 7 approaching the pier at Cebu, Philippines.
Alan Haig-Brown photo

With routes running between about a dozen centers on several island in the Southern Philippines, SRN Fast Seacrafts, Inc has enjoyed a steady growth since the company was founded in 1997. Based in Zamboanga on the Island of Mindano the firm operated on a run between there and Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. It has also developed a growing number other inter-island routes. (www.weesamexpress.com)

Twin Cummins KTA50 M2 give the Weesam Express 7 3800 HP and 30-knot speeds.
Alan Haig-Brown photo

It was to one of those, the route between Cebu and Ormoc, on Camotis Island that the company’s latest vessel the aluminum M/V Weesam Express 7 was assigned on her deliver from the Yong Choo Kui Shipyard in Sarawak Malaysia’s coincidentally named city of Sibu. (See Hotip#226 at www.haig-brown.com ) As with others of this design the boat presents a dramatic presence when arriving in a port. Reminiscent of a wingless Boeing passenger jet, the sleek 44 by 5-meter craft is powered by a pair of Cummins KTA50 M2 engines each generating 1800 HP at 1900 RPM. Turning into ZF gears these engines are mounted well aft in a hull that incorporates a hull-bottom extension for added hull length that allows the craft to achieve speeds in the 30-knot range. This allows three round trips per day on the route that takes from 2 to 2.5-hour one way depending on sea conditions. The 190-passengers are carried in air-conditioned interior cabin or enjoying the sea air in an upper deck partially open seating area. Boat and service crew total 13. A pair of Cummins 6BT5.9-G6-powered 75 kW generators powers the boat's extensive electrical systems.

Capt. Lito I. Bacaylan in the pilot house of the Weesam Express 7
Alan Haig-Brown photo

Captain Lito Bacaylan reports that, in spite of its dramatic length to beam ratio, the twin-screw hull is easily maneuvered around the piers.

For further information please contact:

Amil’s Tower Ticket Office
Pilar St.,
Zamboanga City,
Philippines
Phone: (062) 992 3986
Fax: (062) 992 3756
E-mail: zam@weesamexpress.com
Web: www.weesamexpress.com

Daniel Yong Wu Yung
Executive Director
Yong Choo Kui Shipyard Sdn. Bhd.
13, Chengal Road, 96000 Sibu,
Sarawak, Malaysia
Phone: 06 084 319922
Fax: 06 084 313706
Web: www.yckshipyard.com

Steven Yii Chu Lik,
Scott & English (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
No. 6A, Lorang 39
Jalan Ding Lik Kwong,
96000 Sibu, Sarawak
Malaysia
Phone: 084 311807
Fax: 084 336001
E-mail: yii_cl@sne.com.my

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