The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has awarded Derecktor Shipyards a contract to build a 70-foot, 150-passenger catamaran ferry that will provide a vital transportation link between Sapelo Island and the Georgia mainland.
Construction of the Chartwell Marine-designed vessel is scheduled to begin before the end of 2026 at Derecktor’s shipyard in Dania Beach, Fla.
The ferry will operate between Meridian Dock on the mainland and Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island in McIntosh County, transporting residents, researchers and visitors, as well as essential supplies, building materials and scientific equipment.
The new catamaran will become the island’s primary ferry, with the existing state-operated vessel retained as a backup.
Sapelo Island is accessible only by boat, making the ferry an essential connection for residents and the island’s scientific and research institutions.
“For the people who live here, the ferry is about much more than transport .. It’s more than a boat; it’s an important part of life on Sapelo,” said Fred Hay, Sapelo Island manager.
Chartwell Marine, based in Southampton, England, developed the design using experience gained from passenger vessels and offshore wind service craft. The catamaran is intended to combine reliability, passenger accessibility and cargo-carrying capability while accommodating the island’s existing docking infrastructure.
According to Chartwell, the vessel’s appearance will be consistent with the existing ferry, while its boarding and mooring arrangements have been designed to improve accessibility and ease of operation.
“We’ve worked closely with Georgia DNR to develop a vessel tailored to the route, with a focus on minimizing lifecycle costs and maintenance downtime,” said Christophe Rident, senior naval architect at Chartwell Marine.
The project marks an expansion of Derecktor’s new construction operations in Florida and will be the yard’s first commercial ferry project. It also represents Chartwell Marine’s first commercial ferry design in the United States.
Erik Derecktor, operations manager at Derecktor Shipyards, said the company has expanded its Florida newbuild capacity to support projects such as the Sapelo Island ferry. “This ferry reinforces our commitment to passenger vessel operators, our successful collaboration with Chartwell Marine and the expanded capacity of Derecktor’s new construction program,” he said.
