THE WORLDS FINEST SHIP, ALSO KNOWN AS HOME

• Raffles
• Onboard
• Ashore
• Financial
• Donald Starkey Designs
• Exploration
• FAQ
• Technical
• Press
• Contact

• A one of a kind ship
• Facts and dimensions
• LR service notations
• General description
• Apartments
• The electric ship
• Main propulsion
• Electrical systems
• Auxiliary machinery  services and systems
• Dependability,  redundancy and back up
• Safety, fire fighting and  lifesaving
• Navigation,  communications and  computerisation
• The marina and aft deck
• Boats, planes, and toys
• Lloyd’s Register
• Raffles operating costs
• Caution
• PDF version

A one of a kind ship

Raffles is a one of a kind ship and is as far as can be established the first and only passenger vessel built with a full double hull since Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s “Great Eastern” was launched in 1857.

Purposely designed to have a life of 100 years, confirmed by Lloyd’s Register (LR) finite analysis it uses almost twice the steel of similar size vessels and with its hull massively subdivided into over 400 WT compartments to help ensure its survival under any conceivable conditions. Raffles is also the first passenger ship to be analysed (by MARIN) for its resistance to collision with, and impact penetration by other ships.

It will almost certainly comply with IMO resolution MSC 194(80) even though this is not mandatory until well after Raffles is delivered. It is fully Marpol compliant and will comply with EU directive 2005/33 on Sox emissions.

Backing up its strength / survivability is its reliability, with Raffles an “all electric” ship supplied from two separate machinery spaces (or power stations), each with 4 generators. Also with 9,700KW in 4 x 360^o electric driven propulsors, any one of which can propel the ship, it is highly manoeuvrable (including full dynamic positioning) with this combination additionally providing high levels of back up or “get you home” capability. No other ocean going passenger ship uses only 360^o propulsors.

Being all electric allows the use of systems that both improve Raffles reliability and reduce its cost of operation / maintenance needs. Combined with the use of modern solid state electronics and systems such as ship wide wi-fi and closed loop VHF, this means Raffles crew is only about 100 compared to similar vessels with 200 plus crew.

Even with its economy of operation and small crew Raffles remains a 7 star ship, similar to the standard of mega yachts. Reflecting this interior design is by Donald Starkey whose references include numerous mega yachts and the largest sailing ship in the world the 133m “Royal Clipper”. Don is now working on another one of a kind, its 157m long successor due in service in 2009.

Design / engineering / outfit and interior finish are only partial measures of a vessels quality with its “class” and “flag” of registry recognised in the international shipping industry as the other best indicators. Confirming its very high standard Raffles is “classed” by Lloyd’s Register (of London) and it is registered in Isle of Man, a British Crow Dependency, an overseas territory. With Lloyd’s Register classing about 50% of the world cruise ships and mega yachts their reputation and experience is unparalleled.

Lloyd’s Register will award 23 service notations to Raffles, more than any other ship in operation, which also reflects their support during Raffles development, including a first for Lloyd’s Register, “future proofing” it for its 100 years life.

The Isle of Man Registry is not one of convenience, as many registries are, but highly respected as being as stringent as the United Kingdom and why Raffles can also fly the Red Ensign.

Assisting in ensuring its long life, Raffles key suppliers (mostly European) are all recognised as world leaders in their field. One of them, Voith – Schneider of Germany, whose cycloidal propulsors are used, is over 160 years old and with its unique technology as used in Raffles, proven in operation for over 80 years.

What all this means is that Raffles is unique for its strength, longevity, reliability, economy, luxury and the very high standards it is built and operated to.