Shipbuilding, hubris, power, speed & greed (British Columbia's Fast Ferry)

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Has anyone here been following the ongoing construction and testing of the three Pacificat-class fast ferries here in British Columbia?

More info here!

Just this week, it was announced that the first of the three ferries was $57 million overbudget (about 80%), up from the $70 million originally allotted.

-- Thomas M. Terashima (tom@nucleus.com), January 21, 1999

Answers

This seems to be the up-and-coming thing around here also with service to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and also , from Boston, Provincetown on the tip of the Cape. It is a huge business here, very competitive and very political. The high speed boats are growing in number and I hate to say it but, a major accident with the seagoing traffic around here is definitely in the realm of possibility.

Regards, Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), January 24, 1999.


Peter:

It occurs to me that fast ferries may be the ultimate expression of shipbuilding. Certainly, there are a number of breakthrough technologies, including twin-hull catamaran design, modular aluminum hulls, diesel-engine powered water jets, maneuvering thrusters, and a high level of computerization.

Is it more romantic than the golden age of ocean liners? No, definitely not.

-- Thomas M. Terashima (titanicshack@yahoo.com), January 25, 1999.


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