In July 2016, Metal Shark was selected by HNY Ferry Fleet, LLC (a Hornblower company) to build 88′, Incat Crowther-designed, 150-passenger high-speed ferries for its new NYC Ferry Service. By incorporating the same serialized building processes honed on its military fleet builds, Metal Shark built and delivered the entire six-vessel order in record time. With less than ten months’ time from project start to the delivery of the first vessel, Metal Shark delivered all six ferries on or ahead of schedule, between April and June, 2017. NYC Ferry officially launched on May 1, 2017, with Metal Shark-built H 102 given the honors of ferrying the first load of customers on the new service’s inaugural revenue trip. Metal Shark is proud to count HNY Ferry Fleet, Hornblower, and NYC Ferry among its growing list of satisfied customers.
In January 2017, Metal Shark was selected by the Potomac Riverboat Company division of Entertainment Cruises to produce four 88’, high speed/low wake, 150-passenger aluminum catamarans for a new Washington DC transit service.The low-wake, low-wash USCG Subchapter T vessels were designed by BMT Designers and Planners and combine passenger comfort with fuel efficiency and low environmental impact. The new vessels will provide commuters in the Washington DC metro region with service between Old Town Alexandria, Virginia; National Harbor, Maryland; and Georgetown and The Wharf in Washington DC. Potomac Riverboat Company parent Entertainment Cruises is the nation’s largest dining and sightseeing cruise company, with a fleet of 30 ships operating in over a dozen major U.S. cities. Construction on Potomac Water Taxi I and II commenced in March 2017, with both vessels finishing in September, approximately six months later. Additional vessels will be delivered in 2018.
In January 2017, Metal Shark was selected by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to produce two 105′ high speed/low wake, 150-passenger, BMT-designed aluminum catamaran passenger ferries. These new vessels will bring vastly improved passenger comfort and convenience, operating economy, safety, and environmental friendliness to New Orleans ferry routes. Currently RTA operates two ferries built in 1977 and 1937 to transport New Orleans-area passengers across the Mississippi River between Algiers Point and Canal Street, and Lower Algiers and Chalmette. The vessels will be built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, LA waterfront shipyard. Deliveries will commence in 2018.