Hy‑Line ferry build underway with Incat Crowther design

The ferry will carry 493 passengers across 3 decks when it enters service in 2028.

Incat Crowther said construction on a 48-metre catamaran passenger ferry for US operator Hy-Line Cruises has started, with the vessel set to support tourism and commercial routes connecting Hyannis, Massachusetts, with Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Capable of carrying up to 493 passengers across three passenger decks and reaching speeds above 30 knots, the aluminium-hulled ferry was designed for operating conditions around Cape Cod.

The ferry will include indoor seating for 166 passengers on the main deck, an 87-square-metre luggage room with a dedicated bicycle rack, and indoor seating for 154 passengers on the mid-deck.

The mid-deck will also feature covered heated outdoor seating for 88 passengers, whilst the wheelhouse deck will provide heated outdoor seating for 140 passengers.

The vessel will be powered by four Cummins QSK60-M Tier 4 engines connected to four Hamilton HTX65 waterjet units, meeting US emissions standards for domestic ferry operations.

Composite shafting supplied by Driveline Service of Portland will reduce vessel weight and maintenance requirements.

The aluminium hull and superstructure will support the ferry’s performance requirements, whilst active ride control technology supplied by Naiad will improve passenger comfort.

The ferry is being built by Midship Marine in Louisiana and is expected to enter service in 2028. It is the latest vessel from a more than 30-year partnership between Incat Crowther and Hy-Line Cruises, which has produced five previous vessels.

“We are confident that the new vessel … will meet the highest safety and operational standards whilst providing our passengers with an exceptional experience,” said Murray Scudder, President of Hy-Line Cruises.

Grant Pecoraro, Managing Director, North America at Incat Crowther, said the project reflects the company’s design and build capabilities for North American operators.

“This vessel is custom-designed and built in the US and is an example of Incat Crowther’s sovereign design and build capabilities for North American operators,” Pecoraro said.