ferries – Professional Mariner

15 Dec

Gladding-Hearn to refit 30-year-old Boston ferry

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, shipbuilding

(SOMERSET, Mass.) — Boston Harbor’s M/V Outward Bound has returned to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., for a mid-life refit. Re-delivery is planned for spring 2026. Purpose-designed by JW Gilbert Associates and built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 1995, the 64-foot, 140-passenger steel vessel carries visitors and supplies seasonally to Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound, which offers experiential outdoor programs…

01 Dec

Washington State Ferries selects ABB to power hybrid-electric newbuilds

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(LONDON and SEATTLE) — ABB has secured an order with Washington State Ferries (WSF), the United States’ largest ferry operator, to supply and integrate hybrid-electric propulsion systems for two hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries that initiate the owner’s ambitious System Electrification Program. With the first two ships scheduled for delivery from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, one apiece in 2030 and 2031, the contract…

12 Nov

Eastern launches new ferry for Florida island community

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, shipbuilding

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group has launched the vehicle-passenger ferry Falcon, currently under construction for the Fisher Island Community Association (FICA) in Florida. The launch marks the latest milestone in the partnership, positioning Falcon to provide reliable and modern transportation to the island. The advanced ferry is designed to meet the unique needs of the Fisher Island route,…

19 Sep

Historic Lake Michigan ferry damaged in docking accident

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsferries, Ports

(MASON COUNTY, Mich.) — The historic Lake Michigan ferry S.S. Badger sustained damage to its stern sea gate after hitting a moored sister ship Wednesday in Ludington Harbor, MLive.com reported. Badger struck S.S. Spartan about 6:50 p.m. while docking, officials said. No passengers were injured. Marine engineers assessed the damage to determine what repairs were needed to safely continue operations.…

18 Aug

Conrad-built hybrid ferry now serving Governors Island

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(NEW YORK) — The Trust for Governors Island last week unveiled its new hybrid-electric ferry, Harbor Charger, the first of its kind in New York state. The arrival of the new vessel coincides with the 20-year anniversary of Governors Island opening to the public, as well as major recent progress in its development as a leading destination for climate research…

18 Aug

Eastern gets go-ahead from WSF for two hybrid ferries

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group has received the notice to proceed from Washington State Ferries (WSF) to build two 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries, with an option for a third, for the state of Washington. This milestone follows the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years for the nation’s largest ferry system. “This is an exciting…

22 Jul

TSB: Ferry collision points to training gap for recreational boaters

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsferries, TSB

(QUEBEC CITY) — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report into the collision between the passenger ferry Svanoy and a pleasure craft. The TSB has issued a safety concern highlighting that current requirements for training and certifying pleasure craft operators do not equip them with the depth of knowledge necessary for safe navigation in high-traffic…

05 May

Passenger killed in collision involving Florida ferry, recreational boat

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsferries, U.S. Coast Guard

(MIAMI) — U.S. Coast Guard Station Sand Key and partner agency crews responded to a collision involving the Clearwater Ferry and a recreational boat April 27 off Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge. One passenger on the ferry was killed and 12 people were transported to local hospitals for care. A Clearwater Ferry crewmember hailed the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16…

08 Apr

Nichols to build pair of electric ferries for San Francisco

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, ferries, propulsion, shipbuilding

(FREELAND, Wash.) — Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has been awarded a contract from San Francisco Bay Ferry to design and construct two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries as part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) ferry program. This groundbreaking project will significantly reduce emissions and advance sustainable transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lacey Greene, vice president of…

03 Apr

BC Ferries to get four new hybrid vessels; fifth denied

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, shipbuilding

(VICTORIA, British Columbia) — The independent British Columbia Ferries commissioner on Monday announced approval of a capital expenditure for the purchase of four new major vessels for BC Ferries. “I’m very pleased to be able to approve the replacement of the fleet’s four oldest major vessels,” said Commissioner Eva Hage. “It will mean a vast improvement in service, reliability, and…