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FERRY OPERATORS IN A SEASTREAK CHRISTENS ONE, EXERCISES OPTION FOR ANOTHER Seastreak America, Inc., just couldn’t wait to announce an order for another high-speed ferry. At the recent christening of the Seastreak New Jersey last month in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., Geoffrey Ede, managing director of sister company Hoverspeed, Ltd., said Seastreak was exercising an option with Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding for a sister vessel. Certainly the development pleased George Duclos, Gladding-Hearn’s chairman and CEO, who was on hand for the ceremony. The as-yet-unnamed Seastreak commuter ferry would be the third built by the Massachusetts yard based on the four-engine, four-waterjet aluminum cat design. Like the Seastreak New Jersey and its sister, the Seastreak New York, the vessel would have the ability to carry 405 passengers and crew at service speeds of 38 knots. Ede calls the boats “the fastest diesel-powered ferries in New York Harbor.” Each powered by four Cummins KTA50M2 diesel engines and four Kamewa A50 waterjets, the vessels have a top speed of 42 knots. From the commuter standpoint, what’s appealing about the new three-deck cats are the comfortable ride and the attractive interior finishes. The airline-style seating and full bar are particularly nice touches. Some of the dignitaries on hand included: Miss New Jersey, Julie Barber, who served as Godmother for the Seastreak New Jersey; Reverend Peter Larom, who blessed the vessel, and RADM Richard E. Bennis, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port of New York/New Jersey and Commander of Coast Guard Activities New York. With the addition of the new boat, Seastreak, which carried 424,000 commuters last year, will have six ferries. |
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