VESSEL REVIEW/NEWS RELEASE 18 November 1999

AUSTAL INTRODUCES ITS FIRST BOUTIQUE CRUISE VESSEL Rivage St Martin to enter service in the French Carribean
With an abundance of luxurious features and numerous facilities dedicated to passenger comfort and relaxation, Austal Ships first boutique luxury cruise catamaran is set to meander through the islands of the French Caribbean. Austal has recognised the growing need for a cruise product which sits between the cruise ship and the luxury charter yacht. Austal has called this the Boutique cruise market and is now leading the development of this sector. Such a cruise should offer many of the benefits of the luxury charter yacht, such as exclusivity, but at a price which is much closer to that of the traditional cruise ship. To promote this feeling of exclusivity, Austal believes the boutique cruise concept works best with up to around 100 passengers. In some cases the boutique cruiser is a seasoned cruiser, 15 to 25 cruises already undertaken, middle aged or beyond, and very discerning. Expectations are of a high standard of luxury and associated activities which are not too demanding. Sales Director, Chris Norman. The recently launched 80 passenger, 60 metre Rivage St Martin was designed to satisfy the specific requirements of cruise operator, Rivages Crossieres French Caribbean operation. Due to reach its island destination of St Martin in late November, Rivage St Martin will provide guests with a high standard of cruise accommodation, comfort and enjoyment. Rivage St Martin is unique in that it is constructed entirely of aluminium, contains passenger-in-berth accommodation and is fully compliant with SOLAS regulations. The design of the on-board domestic systems are also unique as they are designed to cope with the Others are looking to enjoy watersports, sunshine and partying, but in exclusive and cosy surroundings, said Austals

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high demand of providing services to all passengers at the same time and have back-up systems to ensure passenger comfort is not disrupted. The catamaran is an ideal platform for the boutique cruise vessel as its wide beam provides excellent stability and seakeeping qualities. Its twin hulls also provide a very seakindly motion due to the semi-swath hull shape. The overall size of the catamaran is also well suited to a cruise concept with passengers feeling closer to the water, enhancing the overall feel of the cruise. With a cruising speed of approximately 14.5 knots, Rivage St Martin will operate from its base in St Martin for coastal cruising with a typical duration of seven days, the seventh day being a changeover day at the home port. new port and new surroundings each morning. The vessels shallow draft of 2.1 metres makes it particularly well suited to the cruise concept and its area of operation, enabling anchoring close to the shore in an area such as a lagoon protected by a reef, rather than berthing in a busy port or anchoring offshore. This provides direct watersports access and also facilitates rapid transfer to and from shore via three large, fast rigid inflatable tenders. In addition to this, it provides guests with more pleasant, secluded surroundings and more enjoyable views from their cabins. Rivage St Martin features a very high standard of interior finish throughout, with a Carribbean theme reflective of the vessels operating environment. Passengers boarding Rivage St Martin are greeted in the main reception area located amidships on the main deck, which features a souvenir shop, waiting area and full carpeted flooring with a marine pattern emulating the waves of the ocean. distinctions. The compliment of 80 guests are accommodated in thirty four cabins over three decks (26 x 2 berth, 4 x 2 plus 2 berth and 4 x 2 plus 1 berth). Single beds in the two berth cabins are capable of sliding together and all cabins provide guests with direct views of the picturesque surroundings. A private en-suite, air conditioning control, safety deposit box, ample wardrobe space and television units connected to the ships video system are featured in each
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The vessel will cruise at night only, for

approximately three hours at a time, allowing passengers to awake and enjoy breakfast in a

The catamaran features one luxury class

throughout, ensuring that each passenger is made to feel special and that there are no class

cabin. Carpeted flooring is featured throughout in the combined colours of steel blue and grey. Rivage St Martin is dedicated to providing guests with enjoyment and relaxation typical of an island cruise and has a diverse number of on-board facilities designed to encourage passengers to enjoy as much time as possible outdoors. The large open style covered restaurant, featuring timber decking, is located aft on the main deck and is outfitted with light aluminium framed tables and rattan style chairs, allowing all 80 passengers to dine simultaneously. A fully equipped gourmet galley ensures that guests are satisfied with a wide variety of fine French cuisine. The restaurant also includes a full height storgage cupboard for crockery and toilet facilities. Passenger entertainment and recreation is also well catered for. An open bar is located aft on the upper deck and features timber decking, solid jarrah dining settings and lounges, a DJ station and dance floor. Guests can relax and enjoy the warm climate of the Carribbean on the sun deck which is equipped with sun lounges and a mini bar. They can then take a cool dip in the salt water swimming pool, located aft on the main deck, featuring a mini bar with seven in-water bar stools and a luxury spa. Guests can also shower after a swim with the provision of two fresh water showers. Other on-board amenities include toilet facilities, a sick room and a fully equipped laundry. For those guests looking for a little more action, Rivage St Martin is equipped with a variety of water sports equipment including a water sports boat (located on the upper deck), water skis, snorkel sets, four sailboards and six single and four double sea kayaks (stored on the main deck). The use of this equipment is simplified with the feature of in-built ocean access from stern platforms located on the main deck adjacent to the water equipment stowage area. The 60 metre cruise catamaran will operate with 20 crew (8 officers and ratings and 12 hotel and catering). Crew accommodation is located in the forward hulls and feature single bunks, a desk area and bathroom. The Captain and Chief Engineer berths are located aft of the bridge. Crew amenities also include a crew mess area with tables and chairs for fifteen crew and a crew lounge with Hi-Fi, video and television system.

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The bridge is comprehensively equipped with three main consoles and two desk units located on the aft bulkhead. Main electronics include the 2 x Furuno radars, a steering system incorporating Gyro and Autopilot (C-Plath), Navtex GMDSS and Leica DGPS Navigator, EPIRB, Satcom Mini M satellite telephone system and Aeronautical VHF system. A crew communication office is also featured on the bridge. The vessel is also equipped with 6 x 50 man liferafts with mini-slides for evacuation located on the main deck abeam of the galley.

RIVAGE ST MARTIN - 60M BOUTIQUE CRUISE VESSEL Principal Dimensions LOA: Waterline Length: Beam: Draft: Passenger Cabins: Passengers: Crew: Power: Speed: 60.0 m 54.8 m 15.0 m 2.1 m 34 80 20 2 x 790 kW 14.5 knots

The propulsion package for Rivage St Martin comprises 2 x MTU 12V 2000 M70 engines, 2 x ZF BW 256 gearboxes, 2 x fixed pitch propellers and two hydraulic bow thrusters. Classification is to Bureau Veritas 1 3/3E Coastal water 50nm from port of refuge + MACH + AUT - MS, F. ENDS
For further information: Glenn Williams, Manager Sales and Product Development Telephone: (61 8) 9410 1111 Facsimile: (61 8) 9410 2564

Email:marketing@austal-ships.com.au

BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Austal built Rivage St Martin represents Austals third contract with leading French maritime group, Compagnie Chambon. In 1998, Austal delivered two high speed passenger catamarans, one with vehicle capacity, to LExpress Des Iles (Chambons French Caribbean fast ferry operation). Rivages Croissieres (Chambons French Caribbean cruise operation) currently operates a 50 metre cruise vessel, Rivage Guadeloupe, from the island of Guadeloupe and a 55 metre vessel, Rivage Martinique to and from the island of Martinique.

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