M/C EcoGalaxy
Protecting the Beauty of Galapagos
This catamaran is a combination of innovation, luxury and high engineering in order to create capable ship that delivers a first-class onboard experience, while protecting the world's best-preserved ecosystem, the Galapagos Islands.
The Origin
After the first experience that Galagents Galapagos Cruises had with the construction and design of the “Galaxy Yacht” in 2006, a new objective was born with the creation of a new ship, this project will begin to become a reality at the end of 2013.
The owners of the ships, decided to expand their vision and create a revolutionary and innovative plan apropos the one created in 2006, they wanted to make a big impact on the way cruises in the archipelago were made at that time; a ship with unique parameters linked to conservationism that will generate a less footprint in the ecosystem of the Galapagos National Park.
They craved to build a ship so innovative not seen in small boats, in order to launch this project, it took several months of hard investigation, during the first days of January 2014 in the city of Guayaquil, the wait was over and began the construction of the only 16 guest catamaran in the archipelago with the latest cutting-edge parameters and high standards for conservation on the islands at that time.
The Construction
Every detail of the construction was carefully thought, in order to be socially responsible with the staff and ecologically sustainable to sail the Galapagos Islands. One of the main features of its construction was the responsible use of raw materials, for example: less use of the wood used for its finishes and decoration, lead-free paint, reinforced fiberglass, among other materials.
Another goal on the construction of the ship was to obtain as a result a catamaran that would meet worldwide ecological standards, without ignoring the technological measures, thus also allowing self-sustainability energy, principally reducing water and fuel consumption, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions that might be produced by the boat.
The owners of the company decided to be involved of the inspection during the entire construction of EcoGalaxy, to make sure that each of their recommendations will be carried out safeguarding the philosophy of conservation and social responsibility they always encourage.
Why EcoGalaxy?
While construction was in progress, the name of the new Galagents Galapagos Cruises family member had to be decided, although the official registration procedures had already started under the name of "Galaxy II", several options continued to appear, however, none embedded. Finally, and celebrating the existence of the "Galaxy Yacht” which was considered by the owners as the "big brother", the name "EcoGalaxy" was given to the new ship, however, although at that time it was no longer possible to change its name.
An Ecological Catamaran?
The “EcoGalaxy” project, was successfully welcomed by the clients of Galagents Galapagos Cruises, due to its environmental and conservationist procedures to sail in the Galapagos Islands, also thanks to this new approach that the company had adopted, it achieved the recognition “Smart Planet”, a worldwide certification for companies seeking an environmental balance in their activities, which is well-preserved until the present.
First Departure
On January 25, 2015, the EcoGalaxy was ready to sail from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands with an entire well trained crew, full of expectations and new dreams to fulfill, ready to provide a first class service and with social and environmental responsibility.
After 3 days and complying with the highest standards and regulations of the Galapagos National Park, the catamaran arrived to the Maritime Reserve for the first time on January 28, 2015 after receiving all the permissions, only 3 more days later, the ship began its official operation as the First Ecological Cruise on the enchanted islands.
Major Renovations
It is important to note that in the first instance this boat was built with dimensions of 27.6 m (90.55ft) in length. and beam 10.5 m.(34.44ft), however, after 8 months of operating, the owners request a stability study from the prestigious Naval Engineer Franklin Dominguez; with this renovation the ship increased the length to 31.0 m.(101.7ft).
During the following weeks a new process of reconstruction began back in Guayaquil, including the wave piercing, the structure that attend to break the waves and improve navigation. This work was finished approximately after 1 month, the main idea of this renovation was to provide greater stability and speed to the Catamaran.
However, these have not been the only renovations that the Catamaran has had, throughout its life it has been in 3 extensive processes that have allowed the ship to be kept intact and in impeccable condition.
