New eco-friendly ferry will soon carry passengers between mainland and Peaks Island
The vessel, which will feature a hybrid diesel-battery propulsion system, will replace the aging Machigonne II, built in 1987.
Courtesy Elliott Bay Design Group
A new climate-friendly ferry will begin transporting Peaks Island residents and visitors between downtown Portland and the island, possibly as soon as next year.
The Casco Bay Island Transit District announced Tuesday that its board of directors authorized construction of the passenger/car ferry, which will replace the aging Machigonne II, built in 1987.
The ferry, including design and construction, will cost more than $16 million.
The new ferry, which will be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, can eliminate up to 800 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. It replaces the conventional diesel propulsion system used on the Machigonne II, and Casco Bay Lines will be one of the first passenger ferry lines in the country to utilize the technology.