The following is text of a news release from Fogg's Boatworks:
(PORTLAND, Maine) — The international ferry is gone, but there is still a Cat in Portland Harbor. Fogg’s Boatworks has announced that the Coast Guard inspection of its new catamaran touring boat is complete and captains will begin transporting passengers this weekend.
Casco Bay Cat, a 46-foot aluminum craft powered by twin outboards, is moored at Fogg’s Boatworks on Maine Wharf at 71 Commercial St. in Portland. Capable of carrying up to 49 passengers, the boat will be used for private charters, meeting a growing need on the Portland waterfront.
“We have run a water taxi and harbor tour service for years," said Dennis Fogg, company owner. “As Portland has evolved, we’ve seen an increasing number of customers looking to book a larger and more weather-friendly craft for their exclusive use. From island weddings to corporate tours, this is an emerging market and we have built a bigger craft to support it."
Fogg and his sons Patrick and Eben are fourth- and fifth-generation Casco Bay captains, working in the boat business for over 35 years. They have operated the tour/taxi operation for the last five. Both Dennis and Patrick are graduates of the Boat School in Eastport, Maine, where they learned small vessel design and construction. Dennis was in the first-ever class in 1978 and son Patrick was in the last class when the school changed hands in 2012.
Both men put their skills to work as the designers and builders of Casco Bay Cat. Construction took place at the Fogg shop in North Yarmouth and took about six months. The new vessel joins the rest of their fleet, all of which were made in-house.
“I think this new boat is a testimony to the spirit of Portland’s working waterfront," said Fogg. “Maine design and construction, coupled with experienced island captains come together to serve the ever-growing number of visitors anxious to access our local waters."
Casco Bay Cat will operate throughout the islands between Portland Harbor and Harpswell. Fogg’s Boatworks has 12 licensed captains who will be assigned to voyages, along with two crew to assist.
