The Navy officially accepted delivery of the fifth USS Arizona Memorial passenger ferry boat from Modutech Marine Inc. of , June 25. This vessel is one of six boats being procured to replace the existing ferry boats that have reached the end of their service life. The boats, procured for the National Park Service by the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, serve as a ferry service to shuttle visitors to and from the memorial, and continue to support the U.S. Navy's commitment to the National Park Service, as they tell the compelling stories of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on .
The new 78-ft. vessels are constructed of fiberglass and can accommodate up to 149 passengers and three crew members.
The new boats use a combination of clean fuel technology propulsion systems, including EPA Tier 2 compliant marine diesel engines, exhaust and fuel system treatments, and biodiesel fuel. This will significantly reduce the "carbon footprint" of the passenger service provided at the national memorial.
The ferries also comply with applicable Federal Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines, improving accessibility.
PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships, and is currently managing the design and construction of 11 major ship classes and a wide range of small boats and craft. These platforms range from warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. Since its creation in November 2002, PEO Ships has delivered 39 major warships and hundreds of high performance boats and craft.