Texas christens hybrid ferry for Galveston Island service

Texas christens hybrid ferry for Galveston Island service

(HOUSTON) — The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) recently christened its new 293-foot double-ended hybrid ferry, Esperanze "Hope" Andrade. The Shearer Group Inc. (TSGI) began working with TXDOT to design and provide construction oversight services for the vessel in 2017. The vessel was built by Gulf Island Fabricators in Houma, La. It is named for the first female chair of…
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Marine Atlantic takes delivery of E-Flexer ro-pax ferry

Marine Atlantic takes delivery of E-Flexer ro-pax ferry

(ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador) — Marine Atlantic took delivery of its newest vessel, Ala’suinu, on Tuesday from CMI Jinling, Weihai Shipyard in China. The Stena RoRo E-Flexer ferry will be on a long-term charter with the Canadian state-owned company and operate between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Ala’suinu, (pronounced Ah-laa-sue-in-ou), means “traveler” in Mi’kmaq. The vessel builds upon Marine Atlantic’s…
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U.S. awards $220 million to modernize ferry systems

U.S. awards $220 million to modernize ferry systems

(WASHINGTON) — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Thursday announced grants totaling $220.2 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the nation's ferry systems. The program focuses in part on expanding ferry service in rural communities, helping communities acquire modern ferry boats (including electric boats that reduce carbon pollution), and upgrading shore infrastructure to support high-quality, low-emission ferry service.…
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BHGI to design new ferry for Casco Bay Lines

BHGI to design new ferry for Casco Bay Lines

(BRISTOL, R.I.) — Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) has been selected by Casco Bay Lines (CBL) of Portland, Maine, to provide naval architecture and marine engineering services for the evaluation and design of a new Subchapter K passenger/vehicle ferry that will be operated year-round. The new vessel will replace M/V Maquoit II. BHGI will be responsible for developing a preliminary…
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NTSB cites ‘microsleep,’ complacency in Seattle ferry accident

NTSB cites ‘microsleep,’ complacency in Seattle ferry accident

(WASHINGTON) — Fatigue and complacency led a Washington State Ferries (WSF) passenger and car vessel to strike a mooring dolphin at a Seattle ferry terminal last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. The contact resulted in $10.3 million in damage to the ferry and $300,000 in damage to the dolphin. The ferry Cathlamet had crossed Puget Sound…
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Conrad lands order to build four ferries for Puerto Rico

Conrad lands order to build four ferries for Puerto Rico

(MORGAN CITY, La.) — Conrad Shipyard has been awarded a contract by the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority (PRMTA) to build four cargo and passenger ferries. The vessels, designed to carry 300 passengers and 300 short tons of cargo, will operate between Ceiba and the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Passenger amenities incorporated into the ferries were designed with comfort…
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WETA completes Bay Area ferry conversion project

WETA completes Bay Area ferry conversion project

(SAN FRANCISCO) – The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) have announced that WETA’s Gemini Class Clean Air Conversion Project has been completed, resulting in a substantial decrease in air pollution emissions from four San Francisco Bay Ferry vessels serving Oakland, Alameda and Richmond. WETA already operates the…
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