Transforming Ship Design with Mixed Reality: Incat Crowther’s Parramatta River Class 

Incat Crowther: Pioneering Shipbuilding Innovation 

Incat Crowther is renowned for its cutting-edge technology and sustainable shipbuilding. Their latest project – designing and constructing seven ferries for the Parramatta River -demonstrates their dedication to advancing the industry. By incorporating advanced design, collaboration tools and precise construction techniques, Incat Crowther is redefining efficiency and sustainability in shipbuilding. 

Challenges  

Designing a fleet of seven ferries for the Parramatta River was no small task and presented significant challenges that demanded innovative solutions. 

The project required extensive collaboration among numerous stakeholders, including the ferry owner, operator, shipyard Richardson Devine Marine and the ferry workforce. Clear communication and continuous coordination were critical to aligning all parties throughout the design and construction phases. 

The ferry designs were required to align with existing vessel classes to avoid additional crew training. This meant maintaining operational and system compatibility, ensuring a seamless integration into current workflows. 

Precision was also essential. Every component larger than 300 cubic millimeters had to be modelled with meticulous detail to guarantee the vessels’ performance, safety and efficiency on the Parramatta River. 

Solutions 

To address these challenges, Incat Crowther adopted advanced technology, incorporating SSI ShipConstructor and Microsoft HoloLens. These tools optimized the design process, improved collaboration and ensured precision during construction. 

Digital Twin for Enhanced Collaboration 

The creation of a 3D digital ship model was a central component to the project to enable real-time collaboration and visualization throughout the design and construction phases. 

For example, when shipmasters requested a larger wheelhouse to improve visibility and comfort, Incat Crowther used ShipConstructor to design the modification and integrated the model into Microsoft HoloLens. This allowed shipmasters to virtually experience the full-scale design and provide immediate feedback, ensuring swift and effective adjustments. 

Design Validation with Augmented Reality 

During the construction phase, when validating in-construction vessels on the shop floor, Incat Crowther uses the existing ShipConstructor vessel model directly, ensuring it is always up to date. Downloading the model to HoloLens, they were able to go onto the shop floor and overlay the virtual model over the ship at a 1:1 scale and check that frames and brackets were in the correct location. 

“Being able to use mixed reality for design verification is ideal for a multiple ship order and can help the designer deliver project assurance.” 

Dougal Harris, Naval Architect at Incat Crowther 

Ensuring Quality with Reality Capture 

To ensure precision, Incat Crowther employed 3D laser scanning to capture every space in the ferries. These scans were overlaid onto the digital twin using Navisworks, and any changes can be made in the product model to harmonize the as-built physical vessel and digital models. This process validated the designs in real-world conditions, giving owners and operators confidence in the final product’s integrity. The owner will be able to use the product model for future maintenance and sustainment activities, knowing that it reflects the reality of how the vessel sits on the water. 

The technology of mixed/augmented reality will play an increasing role in the design, verification and maintenance processes for its ability to foster collaboration and shorten workflows and timelines. 

“Because we can scale the virtualisation to full size, you see the model as designed, making it ideal for training and familiarization.” 

Dougal Harris, Naval Architect at Incat Crowther 

Future-Ready Training and Customization 

Augmented reality has and will continue to expand opportunities for training and customization. Vessel configuration changes, such as modifications to propulsion systems or engine room layouts, were visualized in augmented reality, allowing crew members to familiarize themselves with the changes before launch. 

This early training reduced the ferries’ time-to-service, ensuring rapid readiness for operation. Additionally, Incat Crowther supported remote collaboration by streaming the 3D model to multiple locations allowing stakeholders to engage with the virtual model via remote headsets.   

Outcomes 

By integrating Microsoft HoloLens and ShipConstructor, Incat Crowther transformed the design and construction process. Enhanced collaboration allowed seamless stakeholder engagement across multiple locations, reducing design iterations and saving time and resources. The combination of digital modeling and reality capture ensured precise construction, minimizing errors and improving quality. Mixed reality tools further streamlined approval processes, training and workflows, significantly shortening the project timeline. 

Incat Crowther’s adoption of mixed and augmented reality technologies revolutionized the vessel design process. Using ShipConstructor and Microsoft HoloLens addressed the specific needs of the multi-vessel ferry order while setting the stage for future maritime innovations. As the industry evolves, virtual and mixed-reality technologies will play a pivotal role in advancing vessel construction and operation. 

About Incat Crowther 

Incat Crowther is a global leader in naval architecture, delivering high-performance vessel designs tailored to the needs of ferry operators, special service providers and military. Known for its expertise in lightweight, fuel-efficient vessels, the company sets the standard for innovative ship solutions. 

Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Incat Crowther continues to push the boundaries of ship design, providing durable, efficient and future-ready vessels that meet the evolving demands of the maritime industry.