Maine State Ferry begins fleet replacement program The Maine State Ferry Service has begun an ambitious fleet modernization program that will add up to four new vehicle ferries in less than a decade. Capt. Richard G. Spear is the first to enter service.  Washburn & Doughty of East Boothbay, Maine, delivered the 154-by-38-foot double-ended steel ferry earlier this year using…

High-speed Skana whisks travelers toward Alaska’s wildlife and pristine glaciers Glaciers move slowly, but Skana moves fast.  Equipped with an advanced adjustable hydrofoil, the 87-foot aluminum catamaran tour boat cruises at around 28 knots, excellent for whisking tourists from its home base in Seward, Alaska, and into an icy world of wildlife and glaciers. Designed by Teknicraft of Auckland, New…

Courageous solidifies Seastreak’s fleet as more commuters return to the office The East 35th Street ferry terminal in Midtown Manhattan can be a busy place during the morning rush hour as fast ferries loaded with commuters come and go every few minutes.  Amid this hive of activity, the 600-passenger Seastreak Courageous stood out on the horizon as it sailed up the…

Outlook for new ferries brightens due to infrastructure funding, rebounding ridership The outlook for new ferry construction is brightening as ridership recovers in large U.S. cities and a massive infusion of federal funding comes available from the bipartisan infrastructure law. Although building activity for ferries and excursion boats remains below historical levels, it is rebounding as operators look to replace…