Following is the company's press release. "TRANSATLANTIC RECORD BROKEN AGAIN "Cat-Link V", Incat Australia^Òs latest 91 metre wave piecing catamaran, has established a new record for the fastest transatlantic crossing in a ship, despite participating in the search for a light aircraft ditched mid Atlantic. "Cat-Link V" now enters the record books as the current holder of the famed Blue Riband of the North Atlantic. The date for the presentation of the prestigious Hales Trophy, for which the owner Scandlines Cat-Link A/S is also eligible, has not been announced. "Cat-Link V" broke the two world records set in June 1998 by another Incat ship "Catalonia", namely: · Steaming 1018.5 nautical miles in 24 hours (previous best 1015nm) · Achieving a 41.284 knot average speed over more than 2,800 nm (previous record 38.877 knots) Background The transatlantic routes that can be used to set a speed record vary in length and as a consequence it has been convention, since the very early 1800^Òs, to base the fastest passage on average speed rather than shortest elapsed time. The Hales Trophy and Blue Riband of the Atlantic was held by the "SS United States" from 1952 until 1990 when an Incat built ship, "Hoverspeed Great Britain", broke the record between New York and Bishop Rock with an average speed of 36.97 knots. That record stood for eight years until June 1998 when "Catalonia", also built by Incat, added almost two knots to the record (38.877 knots) on a much longer route from New York to Spain. The goal of the "Cat-Link V" Captain Claus Kristensen was not only to claim the Hales Trophy and Blue Riband but in the process to take the record beyond 40 knots. To do this Captain Kristensen chose the shorter route between New York and Bishop Rock. Transatlantic Crossing "Cat-Link V" departed Australia^Òs southern most city, Hobart, in late June 1998 and after a long voyage, via the Pacific - Panama Canal - Caribbean Sea, arrived in New York on the 14th July 1998. After taking on over 500 tonne of fuel and provisions "Cat-Link V" set sail with a VIP send-off from New York Harbour. "Cat-Link V" passed the official starting line, Nantucket Light, at 06.08.42 (UTC) on Friday 17th July doing 40 knots. After steaming for twelve hours "Cat-Link V" had averaged 38.6 knots. By Saturday morning (day 2) the ship speed was up to 43 knots and the voyage average stood at 40.28 knots. "Cat-Link V" then received a relayed MAYDAY message from Rescue Control Centre, Halifax advising all shipping to keep a sharp lookout for a ditched single engine aircraft whose last reported position, some 40 hours ago, was nearby. Captain Claus Kristensen reported current position and notified RCC Halifax that "Cat-Link V" was proceeding to the last reported position. On board tension grew about 10 nautical miles short of the position when something was sighted in the water - closer investigation revealed a long line buoy. "Cat-Link V" proceeded through the area on a NE course. Two hours later a rescue plane circling overhead advised of debris some 30 nautical miles behind. "Cat-Link V" was asked to turnaround - towards New York - and proceed immediately to the area. After an hour the "Cat-Link V" crew located the smoke flare dropped by the aircraft and the debris. Crew member, Soren Kristensen donned an immersion suit and went over the side to recover a 500mm3 block of foam and a 370mm long plastic cylinder. Later, about 1 nautical mile from this position "Cat-Link V" also recovered a fishing buoy. All debris was unrelated to the missing aircraft and having searched the area for some time "Cat-Link V" proceeded to the turn around point where she was relieved of search and rescue duties by RCC Halifax. Tragically, there are still no clues as to the fate of the occupants of the plane. Day 3 weather conditions were not favourable - 30 knot winds and sea on the beam. Engine rpm was reduced to preserve fuel and the speed, with 770 nm still to travel, was 40.5 knots. The weather finally turned for the better with 130 miles to go and the record was in sight. "Cat-Link V" crossed the finish line - Bishops Rock, UK - travelling at 47.6 knots, at 02.17.42 UTC on Monday 20th July. Post crossing discussions with the Hales Trustees confirmed that the distance logged during the search and rescue operation was to be added to the Nantucket Buoy - Bishop Rock distance. The voyage distance was easy to calculate as a careful log was kept throughout the crossing using the on-board DGPS, accurate to within 3 metres, together with independent observation and logging by other passing ships and rescue aircraft. When divided by the total elapsed time it resulted in a remarkable 41.284 knot average speed - bettering the previous record by 2.4 knots and fulfilling both of Captain Kristensen^Òs goals. Congratulations to Captain Claus Kristensen and his crew and also to Scandlines Cat-Link A/S. They realise that only an Incat built ship can take the Blue Riband of the Altantic. "Cat-Link V" refuelled at Falmouth before travelling to Southampton for a media reception. "Cat-Link V" departed Southampton on Tuesday 21st July 1998 bound for Denmark. After official ceremonies "Cat-Link V" will enter service alongside her not as famous 91 metre wave piercing sistership, "Cat-Link IV". TRIALS RESULTS Lightship - two way average 48.1 knots Service speed (465 tonne deadweight) 43 knots Fuel consumption 212 grams/kW hour Principal Dimension and Capacities Length overall 91.30 m Length waterline 81.33 m Beam overall (excluding fenders) 26.00 m Hull beam 4.33 m Hull centreline to vessel centreline 10.83 m Draft (U.S.K.) 3.73 m Deadweight 500 t Fuel capacity (approx.) 66,780 l Long range fuel capacity (approx.) 504,000 l Fresh water capacity 5,000 l Sullage capacity 5,000 l Passengers (900 maximum however reduced to 800) 800 Crew 23 Vehicles (a combination of cars and up to four coaches or 240 cars)"