In a span of just a few weeks time, Damen Shipyards has launched two 81-meter road ferries for Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries at Damen's yard in Galati, Romania. The ferries have been built to Damen’s Road Ferry 8117E3 design and will serve the Northern Gulf Islands off the coast of Vancouver, replacing vessels that are now over fifty years old. Damen says the order … [Read more...]
Batteries Included: Sweden’s Emissions-Free Ferries Lead the Charge
By Ilze Filks HELSINGOR, Denmark, March 14 (Reuters) - A quiet revolution has taken place in the Oresund Strait between Sweden and Denmark where two of the world's largest battery-powered ferries ply the waters after being converted from polluting diesel power. The Tycho Brahe and Aurora ferries operated by Sweden's ForSea are over 100 meters long and work the busy 4 km … [Read more...]
Viking Heavy Weather Tests High-Capacity Passenger Evacuation System for Cruise Ships
Danish life-saving equipment manufacturer Viking Life-Saving has successfully test its new high-capacity passenger evacuation system, bringing it one step closer to market for large cruise ship operators worldwide. Viking calls the system the most exciting innovation in passenger evacuation systems in decades. Known as LifeCraft™, the system combines the advantages of … [Read more...]
Video: Boston Harbor Cruise Experiences Mechanical Failure, Hits Moored Sailboats
A Boston Harbor cruise ship with more than 325 passengers on board struck six sailboats after experiencing mechanical failure, the Coast Guard reported on Thursday. The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. this morning as the passenger vessel Odyssey was getting underway for a harbor cruise with 328 passengers onboard. The Coast Guard said the Odyssey experienced … [Read more...]
Greenland Ferry Finally Free After Several Days Beset By Ice
An Arctic Umiaq Line ferry has finally freed itself from an ice flow off Greenland's southwest coast after spending several days beset by ice. The Greenland coastal ferry, MS Sarfaq Ittuk, had 37 passengers and 22 crew members onboard when it became stuck last Friday, March 23. Although inconvenienced and without internet or phone service, passengers on board were never … [Read more...]