Ferries/Excursion – Professional Mariner

Two new hybrid “Belles” make history in Georgia

Juliette Gordon II / Susie King Taylor II In early 2025, Derecktor Shipyards delivered the first-ever hybrid-electric jet-driven ferries in the United States to Chatham Area Transit in Savannah, Ga. The new vessels are now in operation in the Savannah Belles Ferry fleet, with a third under construction at Derecktor. “That sets us apart — I feel like we can…

MV Karl: The newest — and final — generation of SF Bay Ferry’s diesel vessels

KARL Among the many facets that Capt. Chuck Elles enjoys about the brand-new, 138-foot, 320-passenger SF Bay Ferry Karl, the padded engine-room plates might rank highest among them. “The plates have foam underneath, so when you lift them up and set them down, they don’t bang. It’s just little things like that,” the veteran captain said with delight. It’s that…

FERRIES/EXCURSIONS

New ferry debuts in New York Harbor, signaling shift to hybrid-electric In mid-August, the Trust for Governors Island presented its new vessel, Harbor Charger, the first public hybrid-electric ferry to operate in New York state. The 180-foot, 1,200-passenger, 30-vehicle Harbor Charger cruises at speeds of 10 to 12 knots. The vessel is powered by Siemens Energy’s BlueDrive Eco diesel-electric propulsion…

Delphinus ‘a good chess piece’ for SF Bay Ferry service

Delphinus The San Francisco Bay Ferry service has added a second Dorado-class ferry to the fleet that has the speed, size and capacity to operate on all of its routes. The 129-by-34.5-foot Delphinus entered service in March 2024 following delivery from Mavrik Marine, based in La Conner, Wash. One2Three Naval Architects designed the sleek, low-profile ferry, which is owned by…

Texas DOT achieves cleaner propulsion deep in oil country

Esperanza “Hope” Andrade Decarbonization has become the new mantra for many vessel owners, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) has taken a step toward that noble goal with the delivery of the hybrid-electric vehicle ferry Esperanza “Hope” Andrade. The 293-by-66-foot ferry was built by Gulf Island Fabrication and placed into service on the 2.7-mile Galveston-to-Port Bolivar ferry route this…

Quick and comfortable Chugach Express carries passengers deep into Prince William Sound

Chugach Express Chugach Express is a fast, fuel-efficient catamaran for Alaskan glacier tours. From its anti-fog passenger windows to its waterjet propulsion system, it’s designed to comfortably transport passengers deep into Prince William Sound. “We have really great performance out of this vessel. She exceeded all our estimates,” said Ron Wille, president and chief operating officer of All American Marine, the…

Maine State Ferry Service adds sturdy, modern vessel for its longest route

FERRIES AND EXCURSION The Maine State Ferry Service has added a new vehicle ferry to its fleet that honors a member of the Penobscot Nation who served as a combat medic on the beaches of Normandy during World War II. The 104-foot-by-28-foot Charles Norman Shay arrived in Rockland, Maine, in June 2024 following delivery from Steiner Shipyard in Bayou La…

Swell time: RI ferry crew handles rough seas and dense fog on Vineyard run

The Rhode Island Fast Ferry Julia Leigh was northbound in Narragansett Bay on a damp summer night when fog reduced visibility to almost nothing. Capt. Jordan Ryan flicked on the bow lights but quickly thought better of it in the harsh glare. Suddenly, a voice cracked over the radio. A man hailed the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16 to…

SEA CHANGE

Sea Change charts course toward zero-emission propulsion The world’s first hydrogen-powered ferry could soon enter service in San Francisco, offering a new path for operators looking to eliminate vessel emissions altogether. All American Marine completed the 75-foot Sea Change for Switch Maritime earlier this year at its Bellingham, Wash., shipyard. Incat Crowther designed the 75-passenger aluminum catamaran developed with numerous…

DORADO

Speedy and nimble, Dorado does it all for the S.F. Bay Ferry fleet Capt. Ryan Boatright backed Dorado away the Ferry Building in downtown San Francisco and spun the bow to the east. Within a moment or two, he had accelerated to 36 knots. “It’s like the Ferrari of ferries,” Boatright said as the vessel crossed San Francisco Bay toward…