(LAFAYETTE, La.) — Spirit of 1733, a new EPA Tier 4-compliant 104-foot passenger ferry designed by Incat Crowther for the U.S Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, has entered service. The new vessel is operating on a busy tourist and commuter route between Red Hook on the island of St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on the island of St. John in the U.S Virgin Islands.
Named after a historic slave rebellion on the island of St. John in 1733, the U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter K vessel will join two existing Incat Crowther-designed 92-foot passenger ferries that have been operating on the route for over a decade.
Built by Gulf Craft in Franklin, La., Spirit of 1733 has been designed with accessibility, performance and passenger comfort in mind and is capable of transporting up to 300 passengers at speeds of up to 28 knots. The vessel is equipped with the latest diesel engine emission control technologies in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 standards.
The air-conditioned main cabin features seating for up to 202 passengers, including five dedicated wheelchair-accessible spaces, two ADA-compliant bathrooms, and a fully enclosed luggage room. Integrated side boarding ramps are provided to ensure safe and efficient boarding and disembarkation.
The upper deck offers outdoor seating for up to 100 passengers, while the wheelhouse provides the captain with an excellent line of sight, 360-degree visibility, and wing helm stations to assist with safe docking operations.
“We are incredibly pleased with the positive impact that Spirit of 1733 has since entering into service,” said Derek Gabriel, commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works. “From the outset, we wanted a ferry that was designed specifically for our routes, our ports, and the conditions our operators and passengers deal with every day. Incat Crowther has delivered on that brief with Spirit of 1733 connecting our communities, supporting commerce between districts, and giving residents and visitors a more dependable way to travel between St. Thomas and St. John.”
– Incat Crowther
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