Gladding-Hearn Delivers Fourth New York Water Taxi

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has delivered the fourth water taxi for New York City-based New York Water Taxi to begin new passenger service between Yonkers, N.Y., and downtown Manhattan. Like the three sisters before her, the bright yellow, all-aluminum catamaran, designed by Incat Crowther, measures 72 ft. long and 27.3 ft. abeam, and draws 5 ft. It is USCG-certified to carry 149 passengers but limited to only 99 passengers when operating at New York City ferry docks.

The vessel is powered by two Cummins QSK 19-M diesel engines, each rated at 800 Bhp at 2100 rpm. The engines drive 5-bladed Ni-BR-Al Bruntons propellers via Twin Disc MGX 5145SC Quick Shift gearboxes and EC-300 control systems. Like her sisters, the new vessel’s top speed is 26 knots, with a load of 11.5 tonnes. At top speed, the vessel leaves a wake of under 10 inches. The boat’s carpeted main cabin seats 98 passengers and is entirely accessible for passengers in wheel chairs. The exposed upper deck, behind the wheelhouse, seats 50 passengers and has standing room for another 20. Passengers board and disembark through the side doors and doors at the bow between the main cabin and foredeck. The foredeck is heated so passengers won’t slip on ice and snow in the winter.

The main cabin features double-glazed windows and is outfitted with Beurteaux Ocean Tourist seats, two 42-in. plasma TV monitors, fed by a KVH M3 gyro-stabilized satellite dish, a head, snack bar, and HVAC. Interior sound levels are under 72 dba. Illuminated LED destination signs are located in the main cabin above the passenger doors.