Catalonia (ship)

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Career	UK
Catalonia
Builder:	Incat
Launched:	1998
In service:	1998
Honours and awards:	Blue Riband, Eastbound
Fate:	In Mediterranean service
General characteristics
Class and type:	SeaCat class catamaran
Length:	91.6 metres
Beam:	26.0 metres
Draught:	3.7 metres (loaded, saltwater)
Propulsion:	Four x Caterpillar 3617 diesel enginess Four steering VULKAN water-jets total output 34,000 hp (25,000 kW) at 750 rpm
Speed:	35 knots cruise, 40 knots (74 km/h) top speed
Capacity:	800 passengers & crew and 200 autos

Catalonia is a 91 metre long, ocean-going catamaran built in 1990 by Incat, and owned and operated by the Uruguayan line Buquebus. On 9 June 1998, she set a record for the fastest eastbound transatlantic journey, held by another Incat craft Hoverspeed Great Britain (see Blue Riband), making the 3,125-mile (5,029 km) run from Manhattan to Tarifa, Spain in 3 days 7 hours 54 minutes, traveling at an average speed of 38.877 knots (72.000 km/h).

During that same voyage, the ship became the first passenger ship to cover 1,000 miles (1,600 km) or more in one 24-hour period. In covering 1,018 nautical miles (1,885 km) in one day, it superseded the 868-mile (1,397 km) record set by SS United States in 1952.

The record lasted for about six weeks, superseded by sister craft Cat-Link V. It is currently serving as a passenger and car ferry between Barcelona and Mallorca.