What is the Rochester / Toronto Fast Ferry?
The Rochester / Toronto Fast Ferry is an exciting new way to travel between the Port of Rochester and the Port of Toronto. Official name: Spirit of Ontario 1 Nickname: The Cat Owner: City of Rochester / Rochester Ferry Company Operator: Bay Ferries The engines: Instead of operating with a propeller, the ferry uses a jet water propulsion system that sucks in water and shoots it out to move. The system can fill an Olympic-size pool in about 30 seconds, pumping 20,000 gallons per second at full thrust. The ship features four diesel engines made by MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH. Austal Ships, the Australian shipbuilder, and MTU say the Spirit of Ontario was, at the time of its building, the “world’s most powerful diesel-powered high-speed catamaran.” Two MTU 20-cylinder engines are in each hull of the ferry. Each engine has a maximum horsepower of about 11,000, with a total horsepower of about 44,000 at a rated speed of 1,150 rpm, according to the company. Each engine has the equivalent power o
