Professional Mariner – American Ship Review 2023 – Page 2

OFFSHORE WIND

The rush is on to build U.S.-flagged vessels for the offshore wind industry The United States has sprawling plans to dot waters off the East Coast from Massachusetts to South Carolina with wind farms. But for now, there are very few of these specialized boats in the U.S. fleet to build, service and operate them. That is starting to change…

PILOT/PATROL/FIREBOAT

Great Lakes pilot association diversifies fleet with fuel-sipping Huron Pride The Lakes Pilots Association operates two Chesapeake-class pilot boats from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. A third launch from the yard, delivered earlier this year, adds speed and versatility to that proven fleet. The 42.5-foot Resilient-class Huron Pride operates from the pilots’ home base in Port Huron, Mich. The deep-V aluminum hull was designed…

FERRIES AND EXCURSION

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…