Page 42: of Marine News Magazine (July 2025)

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Vessels

Catalina Express’ Renewable Diesel Ferry

Incat Crowther was commissioned by Catalina Express to design a new low-emission, renewable diesel-powered passenger ferry. As part of the Port of Los Angeles’ $31m

Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) proj- ect, funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB),

Catalina Express was awarded a $15m grant to match its own $15,000,000 contribution to the project.

Marine Group Boat Works in San Diego will build the

Incat Crowther vessel, and plans to start it in July 2025 with sea trials ex- pected to occur in 2027. noise transmitted from the hulls. The new vessel will of-

The new 160 ft. passenger ferry will service the popular fer spacious seating and amenities including two kiosks, one-hour tourist route between Los Angeles’ Long Beach Port a large protected luggage hold, space for 16 bicycles, café- and Santa Catalina Island. Capable of transporting up to 516 style table seating, indoor and outdoor seating options and passengers across three spacious decks at speeds of up to 37 accessible toilets. The vessel has also been designed with knots, the new vessel will be powered by renewable diesel fuel active ride control comprising a pair of Naiad Active T-foil (R-99) comprised of plant-based stocks. The new vessel will and interceptors to help reduce vessel motions.

be propelled by four EPA Tier 4-compliant MTU 4000 se- Measuring 160 x 39.1 with a 5.5 ft. draft, the aluminum ries engines, each designed to be equipped with a diesel par- construction ferry will be designed for a service speed of 34 ticulate