November 6, 2024

Southern roots: Steiner Shipyard delivers Maine ferry

Ben Hayden

Steiner Shipyard, Bayou La Batre, Ala., recently delivered the new passenger/vehicle ferry Charles Norman Shay to the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) in Portland before making its way to its new homeport in Rockland, Maine. There it will serve the Matinicus Island route under the Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS), a subchapter of the MaineDOT serving the island communities of Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro, Swans Island, Frenchboro, and Matinicus.

The new ferry is a significant upgrade to the service and will provide a vital link for the island communities off the coast of Maine. The new 104'x28'x11' steel-hulled vessel replaces its larger predecessor, the 154'x38' Capt. Richard G. Spear.

That change in length proved challenging in the newbuild. “Each one of Maine’s ferries is unique,” said Tara Marshall, Steiner Shipyard’s owner. “That boat hasn’t been built before, so anytime you build a one-off, you have a little bit more work with the naval architect, and Maine, and even the Coast Guard. So that boat being a unique vessel and being that it’s a small boat, it has all the same equipment as the bigger boats. I think one of our guys’ biggest struggles was fitting all the equipment into that small area.”

The Charles Norman Shay under construction at the Alabama shipyard. Doug Stewart photos.

Charles Norman Shay was designed by Gilbert Associates, Braintree, Mass. With a 7' draft, the new 149-passenger ferry has room for a single tractor trailer and four light trucks or eight cars or light trucks. Main power for the vessel comes from twin Caterpillar C18 diesel engines coupled with Sound 4-bladed 52" diameter wheels through Twin Disc MGX-516 close-coupled vertical offset gears with a 4.04:1 reduction ratio. The vessel has a running speed of 13 knots. To enhance maneuverability, a Veth VT-50 64-kW tunnel bowthruster has been installed, providing the necessary agility for docking and navigation in tight spots. The vessel is also outfitted with an advanced electronics suite, a steering system from EMI, and Twin Disc ec6000 controls. The Charles Norman Shay offers capacities for 3,200 gals. of fuel oil, 1,900 gals. Potable water, and 300 gals. Lube oil.

The vessel is classified under the stringent Coast Guard Subchapter T regulations, ensuring that it meets all safety and operational standards for ferry operations in the region. Marshall’s son, Gregory Marshall Jr., Steiner’s project manager and purchasing assistant, spoke to the complexities involved in building a vessel that adheres to modern Subchapter T regulations, primarily. “Being able to get reinvolved with Subchapter T regulations and relearning that.” “It’s been a few years since we built a Subchapter T vessel, and the regulations are much stricter now,” he continued. “To be able to come in and have a naval architecture group like Gilbert Associates to work through some of that stuff with us was beneficial in the long run and hopefully for future ferry jobs.”

Tara Marshall reinforced the strong partnership with Gilbert Associates, sharing insights into the construction process and noting the unique collaboration with the Maine State Ferry Service during the project.

“While Maine didn’t have a representative on-site, the owner’s reps, alongside John Gilbert and his team, were instrumental in the process,” she said.

The Charles Norman Shay is a custom-built ferry designed to meet the specific needs of the MSFS, which transports nearly 500,000 passengers and 190,000 vehicles annually. The ferry will primarily serve the 23-mile route between Rockland and Matinicus Island, the longest in the MSFS system, providing a critical connection for the island’s residents and visitors.

“I mean the boat is beautiful,” Marshall said. “It’s a pretty boat. It’s got a lot of character. It’s not a cookie-cutter ferry. “I can’t wait to go up and see the run.”

Looking ahead, Steiner Shipyard continues to expand its capabilities. In addition to ferry construction, the shipyard is currently working on two 76' pushboats for John W. Stone Distributors LLC., and a 94' towboat for Golden Barge Line. The shipyard also has plans of ramping up its repair division. Currently outfitted with a 400-ton travel lift, there are plans in place to enhance its facilities around the beginning of next year.

Marshall, who recently purchased the shipyard from her retiring father, expressed pride in the company’s achievements and optimism for the future. “We’re excited about the growth of our repair division and the projects we have lined up,” she said. Marshall noted that her son Gregory and nephew Joseph are both fourth-generation workers at the yard. Joseph was part of the delivery crew that brought the Charles Norman Shay up from Alabama to Maine.

The Charles Norman Shay gets its name from a heroic Maine veteran and member of the Penobscot Nation. Shay, who is now 100 years old and living in France, served as a combat medic during the D-Day invasion in World War II. At just 19 years old, he was drafted while living on Indian Island and was later sent to the front lines, where he saved many lives on Omaha Beach. His efforts on that day earned him the Silver Star.